After a thumping loss in the first T20I, Indian National Cricket team will be keen to fight back in the second T20I against New Zealand on February 8 (Friday) at Auckland. Currently, they are 1-0 down in the three-match series after losing the Wellington game by 80 runs. This is also their worst defeat in terms of loss in a T20I game.
Meanwhile, the middle-order struggled to put up a good show with the bat which will keep the think tank on their feet. The likes of Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar needs to rise up to the occasion to the job with the bat. Moreover, they are likely to bring in a few changes in the bowling department which leaked a lot of runs in the middle overs.
Here is the predicted XI for Indian National Cricket team for the second T20I against New Zealand at the Auckland:
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
Shikhar Dhawan got a good start in the first game but failed to capitalise on it. However, he will have to score big if Indian National Cricket team have to bounce back in the series. Dhawan has been in good touch and will have to take the onus on him to do the scoring for his side.
ROHIT SHARMA (C)
Rohit Sharma failed to get going in the first game and will desperately want to score some runs and provide a good start in the second game against New Zealand.
VIJAY SHANKAR
The management sent Vijay Shankar up the order and he showed hints of adjusting well. He is currently going through a good patch and will look to make full use of it and be in the good books of the selectors.
MS DHONI
MS Dhoni will have to take responsibility on his shoulder in the absence of Virat Kohli. He played a valuable knock in the first game but it went in vain. However, Dhoni will be keen to guide the Indian National Cricket team to the winning ways and level terms in the three-match series.
DINESH KARTHIK
Dinesh Karthik needs to score runs in the middle-order if he wants to retain his place in the playing XI. He has loads of experience behind his back and knows how to bail his side from this situation.
KEDAR JADHAV
Kedar Jadhav missed the first game and will look to come good in the second game to cement his berth in the playing XI. His ability to clear the ground and chip in with few wickets with his side-arm off-spinners makes him a valuable component in this side.
KRUNAL PANDYA
Krunal Pandya has come up the ranks and has done exceptionally well for the India A side. Rohit Sharma will want the Baroda all-rounder to chip in with a few wickets in the middle-order to restrict the Black Caps to a small total.
HARDIK PANDYA
Hardik Pandya is key to this set up with his ability to contribute in both the departments. He will have to be on top of his form in all three departments if India wants to bounce back in the series.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will have to lead the bowling unit and provide early breakthroughs to contain the inform New Zealand batters. He will also aim to return to form after going for plenty in the Wellington T20I.
KULDEEP YADAV
Kuldeep Yadav has been a revelation in the white ball cricket for India in the last one year. The Indian National Cricket team will bank on him to contain the Kiwi batsmen in the middle overs and pick wickets for them.
SIDDARTH KAUL
Siddarth Kaul will come in place of Khaleel Ahmed, who had a terrible outing in the first game. Kaul had a good outing in the domestic circuit and will look to carry his form in the international arena. In addition to, the management will also want some early breakthrough from the Punjab pacer.