IND vs NZ: Veteran Off-Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Predicts Team India’s Playing XI For T20Is Against New Zealand, Leaves Out Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Team India are currently on their tour to New Zealand for a three-match T20I series, which will be followed by an ODI series of as many matches. The first match of the T20I series was called off due to rain without a ball being bowled at Sky Stadium, Wellington. The second match of the series will be played on Sunday at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Sunday, November 20.

Ahead of the match, Ravichandran Ashwin has named his India XI for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. India’s all-format captain Rohit Sharma, as well as senior batsmen Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, have been rested, and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will captain India in the shorter format, while Shikhar Dhawan will do so in ODIs.

The veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made some interesting remarks while speaking on his YouTube channel as he talked about playing XI. Surprisingly, Bhuvneshwar Kumar did not make Ashwin’s India XI, while Sanju Samson was another notable name who did not make the off-list.

While stating that Shubman Gill would definitely open the Indian innings, Ashwin said that both Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant would be considered for the position of the second opener. He mentioned that Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav had secured third and fourth positions, respectively.

The off-spinner also stated that if Rishabh Pant is not given a chance at the top, he will bat at number five. Ashwin trusted Harshal Patel to bat at number 8 for India, before opting for Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh as the other two pacers in the side. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has also been named as the main spinner in the XI.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s India Xi For T20is Against New Zealand

Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Also read: IND vs NZ: “The Wrist Strength That He’s Got To Be Able To Hit Balls For Six In Extremely Awkward Areas Is A Talent You Rarely See” – Glenn Phillips In Awe Of Suryakumar Yadav