3 Changes Team India Can Make In The Playing XI Against New Zealand

India did not start their campaign as they would have liked to after losing to Pakistan in their opening T20 World Cup 2021 game and they could make changes against New Zealand. The Indian openers were dismissed early and it had a big impact on the game as it dented India’s total to just 151 on the board in their first innings.

In reply, Pakistan chased down the score with 10 wickets in hand and it was one of the humiliating defeats for the Indian side after a long time. The fact that Bhuvneshwar wasn’t getting the early wickets was exposed and India needed a wicket-taking option in the middle overs as well. As far as the batting lineup is considered, they could be looking at the form of Suryakumar Yadav who has been slightly vulnerable. Here are 3 changes team India can make in playing XI Against New Zealand.

3 Changes Team India Can Make In The Playing XI Against New Zealand:

Shardul Thakur For Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Shardul Thakur has been in the limelight for a long time now and he has done really well whenever he has been presented an opportunity for Chennai Super Kings as well as for India. He is termed as the partnership breaker who can provide breakthroughs when the team needs him at the most. He can add up to the batting option down the order.

Shardul Thakur should come in for the out of form Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has looked very off-color in IPL as well as for India so far. Bhuvneshwar hasn’t been picking up wickets with the new ball which is key to his impact in the game and his death overs bowling hasn’t come good as well. He should make way for Shardul Thakur in the lineup.

Ishan Kishan For Hardik Pandya:

Ishan Kishan has been knocking on the doors of the Indian team after some scintillating performances towards the end of the IPL 2021 and the left-hander was in sublime form in the recent warm-up game against England scoring a quickfire 70 off 46 balls. He likes to take risks and has reaped the benefits out of it most of the time.

He could get a look into the playing XI for Hardik Pandya who has looked shy of his own batting abilities so far. Hardik hasn’t been consistent in the last few months in IPL as well as for the Indian side and the fact that he hasn’t been bowling makes it even more difficult to include him in the playing XI. Ishan Kishan could replace him in the playing XI and come in at 4 in the batting order.

R Ashwin For Mohammad Shami:

Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the proven performers for India over the years and his experience will always be handy. He has been using the drift to his advantage and his abilities with the new ball were visible against Australia where he picked up two wickets in two balls. He can be very lethal; with the ball and India will be happy to be more of a spin-heavy attack.

R Ashwin could come in for Mohammad Shami in the playing XI as the right arm seamer conceded too many boundaries in the previous game and he hasn’t been able to get it seaming. Shami conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs in his previous spell and despite being one of the spearheads of the bowling attack, Shami could be rested to try out Ashwin in the playing XI.

Also Read – 3 Players Who Can Replace Hardik Pandya In The Indian Playing XI Against New Zealand