IND vs NZ: 3rd T20I Preview – A thrilling series decider awaits
Team India will clash against New Zealand in a mouth-watering encounter in Ahmedabad, on February 1, with the series on the line. The Kiwis suffered an embarrassing whitewash in the ODI series but have been extremely competitive in the shortest format of the game, giving India a tough time in both games so far.
Mitchell Santner’s side dished out a clinical performance in the T20I series opener and pushed the home side all the way despite posting a low score in the second T20I. The Blackcaps will be eyeing a historic series victory in the upcoming game, breaking India’s dominance in home bilateral assignments.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and co. have been sluggish, especially on the batting front. The Men in Blue were given a mighty scare in the second T20I after the top order failed to fire for a second successive game. However, the Indian skipper is backing his players to do the job in the series finale.
Pitch and conditions
Ahmedabad has traditionally been a high-scoring surface, and the previous international fixture at this venue saw India post a massive total of 224 runs in a high-scoring affair. The team winning the toss would be inclined to bat first, as the slower bowlers might come into play in the latter stages of the game.
Venue details: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Last T20I match at the venue: IND: 224/2 in 20 overs | ENG: 188/8 in 20 overs.
Here’s the probable playing XI for India vs New Zealand clash:
India:
Young Indian openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have failed to translate their ODI form in the T20I series and will be under pressure to perform in the series decider. Umran Malik was dropped in the previous encounter to accommodate Yuzvendra Chahal, and it will be interesting to see if Hardik goes back to his tearaway pacer in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner deployed as many as eight bowlers in the second T20I on a rank turner. His side has shown tremendous fight and vigil in the shortest format of the game and have got all the bases covered for the series finale.
