India's predicted playing XI for the 1st T20I against New Zealand
India will take on New Zealand in the 1st T20I in the 3-match T20I series on 6th February, Wednesday in Wellington. India beat New Zealand in the 5-match ODI series but received a reality check of sorts when Trent Boult ran through the Indian batting order in the 4th ODI.
The same scenario seemed to have repeated itself when India were struggling at 18/4 in the 5th ODI but responsible and dogged rearguard response from Vijay Shankar and Ambati Rayudu, followed by cameos from Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav, helped India post a decent total. Yuzvendra Chahal led the bowling attack with Kuldeep Yadav being rested and India won by 35 runs in the 5th ODI at Wellington.
India will want to carry forward the momentum of the 4-1 series win in the ODIs and extend their dominance to the T20Is as well.
Although, with no Virat Kohli, India will have a tougher outing, but they certainly have the talent to upstage the Kiwis at their home.
Let's take a look at India's predicted playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand:
Openers - Rohit Sharma (Captain) and Shikhar Dhawan
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are almost sure to open the innings for India in every match. Both the batsmen had a good time in the ODI series but struggled in the last 2 games against Boult and Matt Henry, and they'll want to make amends for their horrendous show in those games.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in this series in the absence of Virat Kohli and will want to lead from the front with his performance. Rohit has been exceptional in T20Is in recent times and will want to keep the good stuff going.
Rohit's captaincy record in T20s is very good and he has ably managed Mumbai Indians in the IPL as well. We can surely expect some fireworks from Rohit in Wellington. Rohit wasn't at his best in the ODIs as he scored 169 runs in 5 innings, averaging 33.80.
Shikhar Dhawan finally found his form against New Zealand after a lean patch against Australia but the last two games were be a big reality check for him. He scored 188 runs in 5 innings, averaging 47 and will want to score big in the 1st T20I.