New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st T20I, Auckland - New Zealand's Predicted XI

New Zealand will return to the confines and the comforts of their home after their crushing Test series defeat at the hands of Australia. But it’s not about to get any easier as they run into India, who are coming off bulldozing all the opponents in their home season. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2019 World Cup semi-final in which Kiwis inflicted a heart-wrenching defeat on India. And there is plenty to discuss before revealing New Zealand’s predicted XI.

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While the return of Kane Williamson to the T20 team would boost the Kiwis, they still have injury concerns of their two main pace bowlers – Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. But it presents the likes of Hamish Bennett, Blair Tickner, and Scott Kuggeleijn to stake their claim for the World T20 down under, later this year. The first of the five T20Is begins at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (January 24).

We take a look at the New Zealand predicted XI ahead of the first T20I:

Martin Guptill:

Martin Guptill is one of the destructive opening batsmen in T20 cricket today. He is the nation’s highest run-scorer in T20s. The 33-year old has been one of the mainstays in their batting line-up since long and would be hoping to put on an impressive display ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Guptill had scored 153 runs in five T20s against England back in November.

Colin Munro:

Colin Munro will partner Martin Guptill at the top of the order. With three centuries in T20 internationals and a strike rate of 160.04, the 32-year old has 1000 runs in 34 matches in New Zealand.

Munro endured a mediocre 2019 World Cup campaign and a lean outing against England at home in five T20s. The forthcoming series against England would be an opportunity to get back in the groove.

Kane Williamson (c):

After missing the T20 series against England in November, Kane Williamson is back to lead the Black Caps against India. While Williamson is primarily a stroke player, he is equally capable of moulding his gameplay to suit the needs of the shortest format.

The 29-year old endured a woeful Test series against Australia and would be looking forward to finding form with the bat ahead of the Test series.

Ross Taylor:

Ross Taylor is New Zealand’s third-highest run-getter in T20 internationals behind the likes of Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum with 1743 runs.

The 35-year old’s flexibility as a batsman allows him to bat at any position in the middle-order. Taylor can play the anchor role as well as shift gears instantly to add quick runs for the team.

Tim Seifert(wk):

Tim Seifert, in his short career, has managed to tear apart bowling attacks across the world.

The gloveman amassed 146 runs in the last T20 series versus India with a high score of 84 at 46.33.

The 25-year old’s career strike rate is of 138.60 and can also play as an opening batsman if the situation demands.

Colin De Grandhomme:

Colin De Grandhomme has risen as one of the vital players for New Zealand across formats. The 33-year old can tonk more than a few out of the park and is more than capable of striking through his dibbly dobbly medium-pace bowling. At number six, the Zimbabwe-born all-rounder would get the launchpad to pounce on the bowling attack.

Daryl Mitchell:

New Zealand may fancy playing all-rounder in Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell possesses the same abilities as Grandhomme and adds an extra layer of strength in terms of batting as well as bowling.

In nine T20Is, the 28-year old has five wickets and 97 runs at a strike rate of 122.78.

Mitchell Santner:

Mitchell Santner was one of the many players who had a forgettable tour of Australia. But the left-arm spinner is a giant when it comes to white-ball cricket with the bat and ball.

Santner maybe the sole spin option, but he can produce breakthroughs through his clever variations and provides the advantage as a pinch hitter.

Tim Southee:

Tim Southee captained New Zealand in the absence of regular skipper Kane Williamson in the T20 series against England. Though New Zealand lost the series marginally, Southee received admirations for marshalling his troops well enough.

In the swinging conditions of New Zealand, Southee can run through the Indian batting line-up.

Hamish Bennett:

Hamish Bennett last played for New Zealand back in 2017, but is yet to make his T20I debut.

In 2014 in the ODI series, the 32-year old rattled the present Indian captain, Virat Kohli with his searing pace.

Bennett’s selection arrived on the back of undergoing a sensational T20 season in New Zealand wherein he emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the Super Smash 2019-20 with 17 wickets in 11 matches. He is expected to take the new ball along with Tim Southee.

Blair Tickner:

Blair Tickner is relatively very new to national colours. So far, the right-arm speedster has only played in three T20Is for the national team and took three wickets. The 26-year old enjoyed a reasonably decent Super Smash season of 2019-20, taking 13 wickets in nine games at an average of 26.

Tickner is likely to be the first-change bowler for the home side.

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