India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: India's Predicted Eleven For Series-Opener

After a thrilling One-Day International series which India won 2-1 after winning the final ODI in Kanpur by six runs, the focus will now shift to T20Is. High-flying India will definitely enter the series as firm favourites but the way New Zealand performed in the ODIs, one cannot take them lightly. Moreover, New Zealand have not lost a single game against Indian in the shortest format of the game and the upcoming series is going to be a blockbuster.

So here we are taking a look at the playing eleven which India can field in the series-opener November 1:

1. Rohit Sharma:

After two lukewarm outings in the ODI series, Rohit Sharma roared back to form in the final ODI, scoring a sublime 147 to guide the Men in Blue to a gigantic total. Will be eyeing to take that form in T20I too.

2. Shikhar Dhawan:

Ever since returning to the team, Dhawan has not quite managed to set the stage on fire. He scored a crucial fifty in the second ODI against the Kiwis and will be looking to give a strong performance in the upcoming game.

3. Virat Kohli:

The best T20I batsman in the world continued his red-hot form this year against New Zealand, scoring two centuries in the three-match series.

4. Dinesh Karthik:

With Manish Pandey not quite managing to come up with impressive performances despite being given regular chances, Karthik was tried out in the ODIs and he grabbed the opportunity with both the hands by scoring a match-winning fifty. Looks likely to retain his spot in the T20I too.

5. Kedar Jadhav:

Jadhav’s ability to come up with handy scores as well as playing the big shots in addition to providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball is likely to make the team-management select him in the T20I too.

6. MS Dhoni:

After easing the pressure off himself with some performance against Sri Lanka and Australia, the former captain did not get many balls to face against New Zealand. Will be looking to make the most in the upcoming game.

7. Hardik Pandya:

The man of the moment, Pandya continued his meteoric rise in the last ODI series, as he bagged his maiden Man of the Series award for scoring 222 runs in addition to picking up 6 wickets. However, he could not quite lived up to the expectations in the just-concluded series.

8. Axar Patel:

After Kuldeep Yadav had a bad outing in the first ODI, Axar Patel was given a chance in the following two games and he managed to leave a good impression. Looks likely to play the first T20I.

9. Yuzvendra Chahal:

Continuing his rise, the leg-spinner had a good outing against the Kiwis too as he took 4 wickets. Looks certain to make it to the playing eleven for the series-opener.

10. Jasprit Bumrah:

One of the best death over bowlers in the world at the moment, Bumrah did his reputation a world of good with a stunning performance against New Zealand in the last ODI. The onus will be on him again as India look to register their first T20I win over the Kiwis.

11. Ashish Nehra:

With the veteran pacer already announcing that the first T20I against New Zealand will be his last international game, the team management is more than likely to give him a fitting farewell by including him in the playing eleven.