New Zealand vs India 2020: 2nd T20I, Auckland – India’s Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand vs India 2020: 2nd T20I, Auckland – India’s Predicted Playing XI; Well, after a spectacular show in the first game, the Indian National Cricket Team is all set to lock horns with the same opposition at the same venue. All the players are raring to go–to display high-quality cricketing skills in the middle.

With the game set to be played at the same Auckland ground, once again, the onus will be on the batsman to make things fall in place.

However, the bowling department will head into the game with a fear to hit the right lengths without fail. Even an inch shorter or full, the batsmen are pretty happy to smash it out of the park with ease.

India’s Predicted Playing XI:

1. KL Rahul:

The flamboyant batsman carried his glorious form in the first T20I of the series. And he is looking to repeat the show in the second game as well. With the game set to be played at the Eden Park, Rahul would like to unleash himself to make use of the short boundaries.

Besides his batting, Rahul will also be the cynosure of eyes for his wicket-keeping duty.

Also, Read – I Enjoy Staying Behind The Stumps – KL Rahul

2. Rohit Sharma:

Rohit Sharma had started things pretty well in the first game but failed to use his good start. The vice-captain would like to show his class in the second game to be among the top run-scorers race.

With short boundaries on offer, Rohit has always been a batsman to watch out. The second game at Auckland is one more opportunity for Rohit to better his batting average in New Zealand conditions.

3. Virat Kohli:

Well, the skipper is in form of his life. Time and time again, he is delivering those match-winning knocks for the team. Even on Friday, he looked all set to win it for India before Martin Guptill pulled out an extraordinary catch at the deep mid-wicket. The classy stroke-maker would like to repeat the show for India on Sunday as well.

Besides his batting, Virat Kohli’s captaincy will be tested, especially if India bats first.

4. Shreyas Iyer:

The Mumbai batsman had a scintillating time on the other night at Auckland. He made perfect use of the opportunity to stamp his authority in the middle. With the same venue being used for the second game, the flamboyant batsman would like to showcase his class once again.

With Rishabh Pant staying away from the playing XI, the form of Shreyas Iyer is pretty important for the team at the moment.

5. Manish Pandey:

Though his support went unnoticed in the first game, the team management knows how crucial Manish Pandey’s knock at that stage of the game. He would once again retain his position in the playing XI and would be looking to deliver a sound performance for the Indian team.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t at his best in the fielding on Friday, which he would like to rectify in the next game.

6. Shivam Dube:

The young lad showed his ability to bowl under pressure. He was the one, who bowled economical overs in the middle overs and gave the first breakthrough for India by removing dangerous Martin Guptill with a bouncer.

Shivam Dube will likely get a few more overs on Sunday and will be crucial for India in the middle overs. His batting skills will be tested in the second T201.

7. Ravindra Jadeja:

Though he was given only two overs in the first game, he made sure to make an impact on the game. He removed dangerous Colin de Grandhomme to make things easier for India.

Apart from that, he doesn’t have much to do in the first game to showcase his brilliance. He would hope for a bigger role in the second game.

8. Navdeep Saini:

This could be the change India might bring to their playing XI for the second game. Shardul Thakur leaked too many runs alongside Mohammed Shami to make things tough for India. As Navdeep Saini got pace in his kitty, the team management might consider the youngster to replace Thakur in the side.

Saini will also be the option to pair with Bumrah in the death overs.

9. Yuzvendra Chahal:

Despite short boundaries, Yuzvendra Chahal had a good game with the ball in his hand. He picked the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson and restricted New Zealand in middle overs to put pressure on the batsman.

However, his fielding wasn’t up to the mark, which he would like to rectify in the next game. With the used surface on offer, he might extract turn and bounce from the wicket.

10. Mohammed Shami:

He had one of the tough days during the first game at Auckland. Mohammed Shami was taken to cleaners by Ross Taylor in the death overs to see him end with bowling figures of 0/53 in his quota of four overs.

However, Shami has always been a champion bowler and would like to make a solid comeback in the series.

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

The first game at Auckland was one of those rare days, which witnessed Bumrah leaking runs at an economy of 7.75. In the first T201, Bumrah had twisted his ankle while bowling in Auckland.

However, fielding lapses have a role to make things tough for Jasprit Bumrah. He would once again be the key for India’s chances in the second game, as New Zealand batsmen are in a fine form to find the boundary fence more often than not.