New Zealand Vs India 2020: 1st T20I, Auckland, Preview – India Will Look To Establish Them As A Global Force

Team India is in high spirits at the moment. Riding on the back of seven continuous home series victory after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the Men in Blue is on cloud nine in present time. Not to forget that after the World Cup, they also won three series across formats against the West Indies away from home. Captain Kohli and his boys will look to take the winning stride forward during impending New Zealand vs India 2020 series after an incredible comeback in the India-Australia three-match ODI series.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Confirms KL Rahul As Wicketkeeper For New Zealand T20Is, Prithvi Shaw Likely To Open In ODIs

New Zealand, on the other hand, had a nightmare in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Losing two consecutive World Cup finals isn’t easy for any team to cope up with. Kane Williamson and his men suffered the blow twice in four years. After the World Cup, The Black Caps has had its ups and downs in world cricket and will now look to outplay the mighty Indians in all the three formats.

India and New Zealand will lock horns for the first time in 2020 on Friday at Auckland for the first T20I game of the five-match series.

Kohli asserted that his decision-making powers are still very intact after winning the last two games of the India-Australia series. He has made it clear that the much-debated KL Rahul-Rishabh Pant issue is not a problem for Team India and Rahul will start as a wicket-keeper for India in the first game.

However, Shikhar Dhawan’s absence from the team could prove to be a crucial factor.

Date and venue: January 24th, 2020, 12:30 pm, Eden Park, Auckland.

New Zealand vs India 2020 – Playing Combinations:

India:

KL Rahul’s performance in the last two ODIs against Australia has earned him a regular spot in limited-overs cricket as a wicket-keeper batsman. Pant has travelled with the squad but India will go with Rahul in the first ODI. Prithvi shaw might get a chance to open alongside Rohit Sharma.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Navdeep Saini.

New Zealand:

New Zealand will go with the opening combination of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro. Ross Taylor and Williamson will share their handy experience with the youngsters of the team. Tim Seifert will keep the wickets for the Kiwis. Youngsters, Scott Kuggeleijn and Blair Tickner will face India for the first time and will look to set new milestones for their national side.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Tim Seifert, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner

Weather Report

The current weather report shows that there will be a minimum chance of rain. The temperature will go down to 17 Degree Celsius. Also, there will be hazy sunshine during the day and the full game can be played as there is a low chance of precipitation.

Pitch Report

The Eden Park wicket is known to produce a good bounce and carry which should be useful for stroke players, as the ball will come on to the bat. Considering the dimensions of the ground, batting second will be a good idea.

Head to Head

Played – 11

New Zealand won – 8

India won – 3

Match Prediction

Though New Zealand has a better win percentage against India in T20Is, India will look to bounce back on the Kiwis.

However, New Zealand will look to take advantage of the home crowd. India has been in a phenomenal run since the World Cup has ended and will want to return to home soil with another series victory.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, would want to dominate the men in blue and clear their intentions ahead of the ICC World T20 in Australia this year.

Also Read: New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st T20I, Auckland – Dream 11, Fantasy Tips, Predicted XI, Pitch Report And Injury Update