IND vs NZ- India's Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

After a disappointing campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, team India are set to face New Zealand in a three-match T20 series under a newly appointed captain in Rohit Sharma. The last time India faced in a T20 international bilateral series, they registered a 5-0 series whitewash.

The Men in Blue would be hoping to exhibit similar performance in the upcoming series. The first match is slated to be played on Wednesday, 17^th November. Here’s a look at their predicted playing XI:

IND vs NZ- India’s Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

Openers: KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian Cricket Team in T20 internationals, while KL Rahul will be his deputy. Both the batsmen should continue to open the innings in the three-match series.

The duo has an exceptional record as openers in T20 cricket. Unfortunately, they couldn’t give India solid starts in the first two games in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 but found form in the next three games. India would be hoping they continue that form in the upcoming three-match series.

Middle-Order: Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant

Virat Kohli has been rested for the T20 series, In the absence of Kohli, Ishan Kishan is likely to bat at the number three position, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant.

Rishabh Pant should continue to be the first-choice wicket-keeper in the squad. Suryakumar Yadav fared well in the latter stage of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He should make it into the eleven as well.

All-rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin

Hardik Pandya has been left out of the squad and Venkatesh Iyer has been handed his maiden call-up in the squad. Iyer will be used as the all-rounder in the playing XI and is likely to play all three games in the series.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been retained in the squad, thanks to his performances in T20 World Cup 2021. He is likely to play the first T20I as the first-choice spinner.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, M Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal

Bhuvneshwar Kumar played one match in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He looked a pale shadow of his former self. However, the management has put faith in his abilities and has selected him in the T20 series.

He should lead the fast bowling attack. Deepak Chahar and M Siraj are likely to be the other two fast bowlers. Besides, Yuzvendra Chahal marks his return in the T20I squad and is likely to be added to the playing XI straightaway.