IND vs NZ: 1st T20I – India’s probable playing XI
After the disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup, India are all set for a fresh start under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. Their first challenge will be a three-match T20I series against New Zealand which begins on 17th November. India do have a few changes to their squad from the marquee event. Here is how they are likely to line up in the first T20I against the World Cup runner-ups.
1. Rohit Sharma (C)
The first name on India’s team list will be that of their latest full-time T20I captain – Rohit Sharma. The senior batsman has won five IPL trophies for his team and the Indian fans will have high expectations from him in the next year’s World Cup. In the recent event, he struck two fifties for India and appears in fine touch.
2. KL Rahul (VC)
Rohit’s deputy in the T20I series, Rahul was India’s highest run-getter in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He scored three successive fifties with a strike rate of 153. His opening partnership with Rohit has been fruitful and India should continue with the same.
3. Ishan Kishan
While the wicketkeeper-batsman was earmarked as the reserve opener, India can optimise him at the number three slot. Kishan can straightaway play an attacking innings and will be a handy prospect in the powerplay. With New Zealand likely to field a leg-spinner and a slow left-arm spinner, the left-hander will be an excellent match-up to hit them out of the park.
4. Suryakumar Yadav
The middle-order batsman had a disappointing outing in the T20 World Cup. But this presents an opportunity for the team management to back the talent and give him some more time in the circuit. Yadav has scored two fifties in his first three T20I innings.
5. Rishabh Pant (WK)
A champion performer in the IPL and in the longer international formats, Pant is yet to achieve similar glory in T20I matches. An average of 23 and a strike rate of 123 do not conform to the explosiveness of the Delhi batter. This series will provide him with another opportunity of improving his record.
6. Venkatesh Iyer
10 matches, 370 runs, 3 wickets in IPL 2021 for Kolkata Knight Riders
5 matches, 155 runs, 5 wickets in Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament for Madhya Pradesh
The numbers are in favour of Iyer’s selection for India. In place of Hardik Pandya, India need a pace all-rounder and Iyer can step up to fill that slot. Only concern will be his batting position in this line-up. He batted as an opener for Kolkata.
7. Axar Patel
In Ravindra Jadeja’s absence, Axar is likely to be India’s leading left-arm spinner. After the initial selection, he was pushed in the reserves for the T20 World Cup.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
Making a comeback to India’s T20I team after four years, Ashwin will be eager to continue his run in the shortest format. In the recent World Cup, the wily off-spinner claimed six wickets in three matches.
9. Yuzvendra Chahal
The leg-spinner faced the brunt of the selectors as he was dropped from India’s World Cup squad. With a resounding performance in the second leg of the IPL 2021, Chahal has forced his way back in the side. With 32 wickets in 22 matches, he is India’s leading wicket-taker in home conditions.
10. Deepak Chahar
A powerplay expert, Chahar did not get an opportunity to represent India in the T20 World Cup. He will be eager to leave his mark against New Zealand at home. With 20 wickets in 14 T20I appearances, Chahar has had a dream start to his India career.
11. Mohammad Siraj
Many Indian cricket fans wanted him in the Indian T20I squad. Siraj now has an opportunity to prove his admirers correct. In IPL 2021, he snared 11 wickets in 15 matches but more importantly, his economy rate in the season was a miserly 6.78. He will be a key death overs bowler for India.
