Team India's Likely Squad For New Zealand T20Is: Will Selectors Drop Sanju Samson?

The MSK Prasad-led selection panel is set to name three squads for the tour of New Zealand which starts later this month. Team India’s Test, ODI and T20I squads are largely expected to remain same, albeit Hardik Pandya is expected to return in the white-ball squads.

It remains to be seen if the selectors name a 15-member squad for the T20I series or will they add an extra member. If the selection panel selects 15 players, then one of Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson could lose his spot in the squad. Before the team selection, CricketAddictor has a look at likely T20I squad for the tour –

Rohit Sharma

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Team India’s white-ball vice-captain will return into the T20I team for the New Zealand series after being rested for the three T20I against Sri Lanka. Rohit is confirmed to open the innings with either of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan.

KL Rahul

Rahul is already leading the race to keep his spot in the playing XI, which means Dhawan might have to sit out. He finished the three T20Is against Sri Lanka with 99 runs in two T20Is. Rahul might not be part of the Test squad.

Shikhar Dhawan

He did score 84 runs in two T20Is against Sri Lanka but is unlikely to be given the first preference in the playing XI. Rohit and KL Rahul are expected to start the proceedings for India but Dhawan can always back into the playing Xi if the team management rests any of these two openers.

Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper is confirmed to bat at number three on this big tour. He scored 56 runs in the Sri Lanka series. Kohli, who took rest for Bangladesh T20Is in November 2019, will play all three formats on the tour.

Sanju Samson

Samson made a glorious return into international cricket with a six off the first ball he faced but he failed to get the things going and was dismissed on the second ball he faced. He will surely retain his place in the squad but might have to wait for another chance now.

Shreyas Iyer

Iyer has done well in the opportunities provided to him and will fly to New Zealand. He will surely be preferred over Pandey for a place in playing XI in the 50-over format but might not get to play all the T20Is.

Manish Pandey

Pandey utilised all his experience during his 18-ball 31 in the third T20I against Sri Lanka and is set to fly to New Zealand for T20Is and ODIs. He has a direct race with Shreyas Iyer to be part of playing XI. He might not get a chance in ODIs but should keep his spot in T20Is.

Washington Sundar

He is expected to be preferred over Jadeja in the squad but is the T20I squad but might not get a chance in all the five T20Is. Kohli has used him as a powerplay bowler but do not expect him to play all the five T20Is.

Risabh Pant

This could very well be the final tour for Rishabh. If he does well, he will keep his place awhile the team management is expected to give Samson regular chances if he fails to deliver this time. Rishabh was rested for the third T20I against Sri Lanka.

Hardik Pandya

A fit-again Pandya will return back into the T20I team for the tour of New Zealand. He has already landed in New Zealand for India A series. He will also be back in the ODI squad but it is unlikely that he will be named in the Test squad.

Shivam Dube

Despite Pandya returning back into the T20I side, Dube is expected to keep his place primarily because India might have two-pace bowling all-rounders in New Zealand. With Pandya coming back, he will surely not be the first-choice all-rounder on the tour.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah will lead the pace attack in the T20I series. The team management might rest him for the three ODIs to manage his workload but expect Bumrah to be part of the Tests squad.

Navdeep Saini

The right-arm pacer bagged the Player of the Series award for five wickets against Sri Lanka and has been tipped to seal his spot in the shortest format. Saini has 11 wickets in eight T20Is so far.

Shardul Thakur

He is more than just a bowler and will surely fly to New Zealand for T20Is and ODIs. His batting skills impressed many and expect a promotion for Shardul in the New Zealand series. Shardul looks a strong contender to be part of the T20 World Cup squad as well.

Kuldeep Yadav

No surprises here. Kuldeep will be part of the squad across all formats. Although with India playing only one regular spinner in white-ball cricket, do not expect him to play each and every match.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal did not have a great outing in the only T20Is he played against Sri Lanka. He leaked 33 runs in three overs and went wicketless. He will be part of the T20I and ODI squads but might not get a chance in every white-ball game.