India v New Zealand T20I series: India’s Predicted XI

Jan 6, 2019 at 3:51 AM

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India v New Zealand T20I series: India’s Predicted XI

After a sensational victory in the three-match ODI series at the Green Park in Kanpur, the Indian cricket team is all set to take on New Zealand in a three-match T20I series.

It is expected to be an enthralling contest especially after an inspiring performance by the visitors in the ODI series. The opening encounter slated to be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi will also see veteran cricketer Ashish Nehra taking the field in India colors for the one last time.

There are some new names in the squad including the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Mohammad Siraj, but given the exceptional run of the Indian pacers, they will hardly get a chance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar might well be given a break to accommodate Nehra in the playing XI, but in retrospect, it will be unfair on the part of Kumar or Bumrah to sit out especially after consistent performances in the limited overs format. But given Nehra’s contribution, he deserves to get a farewell game.

That said, here we have a look at the Predicted XI of India for the opening T20I encounter:

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma raises bat after reaching his 15th ODI century.(C)BCCI

The “Mumbaikar” stormed back to form with a scintillating 147 in the ODI series decider at Kanpur. After missing out in the first couple of matches, he was determined to score a big one in the 3rd ODI, and he didn’t disappoint his fans. Like most days the short arm pull fetched him a few sixes while he drove and cut to perfection. He was eventually dismissed after scoring a 138 balls 147 which included 18 fours and a couple of sixes. He will look to continue his prowess in the T20I series as well.

Shikhar Dhawan

Ever since making a return to the Indian squad, Dhawan has been a prolific run scorer across formats and looked in good touch even during the ODI series against the Kiwis. He couldn’t entirely convert his starts, but his crucial half-century in the 2nd encounter helped India keep the series alive. He is a destructive batsman, and on his day he can take any bowling attack to the cleaners, and with T20 insights, the southpaw will be eager for a big score.

Virat Kohli

Now how do you describe this “Run Machine” from Delhi? He has been in sensational form especially in the limited overs format and reached his 32nd ODI century in only in 202nd ODI. He scored a magnificent 121 off 125 deliveries in the 1st ODI, but it wasn’t enough for India to win the match. Even in the decider, Kohli was at his very best and struck yet another century which ensured India reached a commendable total. Along with Rohit, the pair became the first in ODI cricket to notch up four partnerships over 200 runs.

Shreyas Iyer

Iyer has been a prolific run scorer for Mumbai in the domestic circuit and deserves a chance in the playing XI. There are guys like Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul but Iyer is also a class act and has time and again proved his attacking instincts in the Indian Premier League. He is a superb striker of the ball and can pace his innings to perfection. He is a perfect team player and might get the nod for the opening clash.

Manish Pandey

The middle-order batsman was dropped from the final two matches of the ODI series in favour of Dinesh Karthik but considering his significant hitting abilities, Pandey might well return to the playing XI. He is an impressive batsman in the middle-order, but in order to permanently book his place in the Indian team, he has to start performing consistently.

MS Dhoni

The former captain is still a very strong force to reckon with and his batting and wicket-keeping skills are still among the very best. Though he is not the same old swashbuckling Dhoni which he was a few years ago he has now passed on the baton to other batsmen and has a different role to play now. He has been involved in match-winning partnerships with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, and Rohit Sharma in the recent past but on most occasions, Dhoni’s partners have been the more dominant scorer.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

The all-rounder lends a perfect balance to the team, and he is an asset to the team given his all-round abilities. His batting order is kept flexible depending on the situation of the match and is also an able bowler who can bowl consistently at a decent pace. He is a clean hitter of the ball and can always clear the ropes especially to the spinners.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman bowler was dropped from the final two ODI’s against the Kiwis after a mediocre performance in the opening ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. At times he tends to leak runs, but given his wicket-taking abilities, he will always remain my first choice spinner in the team. He is one of a kind and if groomed and managed correctly he will go on to become one of the greats.

Jasprit Bumrah

Mike Hesson Lauds Jasprit Bumrah after a Match Winning Performance in Kanpur
Jasprit Bumrah (Image Source: Web)

The lanky speedster weaved his magic in the deciding ODI at Kanpur and helped India snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He bowled a sensational final couple of overs along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and prevented the Kiwis from scoring 35 from their last 4 overs. The match was in New Zealand’s grasp, but it was the heroics from Bumrah which handed India a six runs victory. The slower balls and the Yorkers came out perfectly from his hand which bamboozled the New Zealand batsmen.

Yuzvendra Chahal

The Kuldeep-Chahal duo has forged a good partnership, and as a pair they have been pretty successful in their brief ODI careers. Chahal has been taking wickets consistently and even during the ODI series against the Kiwis he was at his best barring the opening ODI. Being a leg-spinner he might go for runs on occasions, but whenever Kohli needs a wicket, he seems to provide it.

Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra | Indian cricket team |
Nehra’s comeback has had taken many by surface, but he has bagged 34 wickets in 26 T20Is at an impressive average of 21.44. Photo Credit: PTI

The veteran left-arm pacer is all set to appear in the India Blues for the one final time. Though MSK Prasad earlier said that there is no surety of Nehra’s inclusion in the playing XI for tomorrow’s clash, but as of now it looks he will be included in the Playing XI. He last played for India earlier in the year against England, but ever since Bhuvi and Bumrah has forged a formidable partnership he has been left out of the playing

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