On Sunday (10 February), the visiting side India will play the third and final T20I of the series against the host New Zealand at Seddon Park (Hamilton). Currently, the series is standing with the 1-1 margin, and it means that the Hamilton T20I is going to be a series-decider.
In the first game of the T20I series at Wellington, India suffered an 80-run defeat. However, they have returned to the series brilliantly after winning the second game at Auckland by seven wickets. While they won the earlier five-match ODI series in this tour by the 4-1 margin, India is once again desperate to finish the tour with another series-winning victory.
During the earlier ODI series in this tour, India played an ODI at Hamilton. In that game, New Zealand bundled out them for just 92 runs, and India suffered an eight-wicket defeat. The visiting side doesn’t want to repeat that disaster performance in the upcoming T20I.
Rohit Sharma (Captain)
The stand-in-skipper Rohit Sharma is in an excellent form with the bat. After the Auckland T20I, Rohit Sharma is now the most T20I run-scorer. Once again, India will want an essential start from Rohit Sharma during the Hamilton T20I.
Shikhar Dhawan
Though Shikhar Dhawan is not playing the big innings consistently, he is mostly providing the good starts for the team.
Rishabh Pant
The young man Rishabh Pant played a fine knock of unbeaten 40 runs during the Auckland T20I. After the openers provided the perfect start, Rishabh Pant guided the side to the crucial victory.
MS Dhoni (wk)
From the beginning of this year, MS Dhoni is running in a cool batting form. The right-handed batsman is always ready to guide the team to the victory.
Dinesh Karthik
Nowadays, Dinesh Karthik is playing the finisher role usefully. He takes very little time to settle down on any pitches and quickly becomes a game changer.
Hardik Pandya
Since his international return, the pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has impressed with his on-field performances. He is a crucial player for the Indian national cricket team, both as a middle-order batsman and as a pacer.
Krunal Pandya
Hardik Pandya’s elder brother Krunal Pandya won his second T20I Player of the Match award during the Auckland T20I. India hopes to see another good performance from him during the Hamilton T20I.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The right-arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is very consistent with the new balls. He is using his experience very wisely in the present international cricket matches.
Siddarth Kaul
While the Hamilton condition suits for the pacer, Siddarth Kaul can earn an opportunity in the upcoming T20I. The 28-year-old right-arm pacer has played two T20Is where he has picked up three wickets.
Yuzvendra Chahal
As the left-arm spinner, Krunal Pandya is in the squad, the leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may get another chance. While he was consistent during the recent ODIs, his performance in the ongoing T20I series is mediocre.
Khaleel Ahmed
The young left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed bowled better in the Auckland T20I. However, he needs to make more improvement to earn regular chances in future.