India’s predicted playing XI against New Zealand for first T20I

After the semifinal exit in the 20-20 World Cup 2022, India Cricket Team is ready to turn a new chapter. The team has arrived in New Zealand for the three-match T20I and ODI series, starting on November 18. On this day, the T20I series will start with Hardik Pandya leading the Men In Blue. The game will be played at the Sky Stadium (formerly Westpac) in Wellington.

Talking about the visitors, they have rested quite a few senior players. Just like it case before the Men’s Asia Cup 2022, a second-string team has been put together for the series. These players will be looking to make their mark with two World Championships in sight in the next two years. Meanwhile, without further ado, let’s discuss the visitors’ playing XI for the first T20I.

India’s probable playing XI

1. Top-order batters

Talking about the team, they have the option of opening the batting with Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan. By the looks of it, Gill and Kishan are likely to open with Samson batting at the number three position. It will be interesting what opening combination the team management and skipper prefer.

2. Middle-order batters and all-rounders

Talking about middle-order options, the team has the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, etc. On the other hand, the likes of Pandya and Washington Sundar are the all-round option. However, not all of them might get to play the game. Thanks to his weakness in the shortest format, Pant might have to sit out.

Also, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Hooda are unlikely to get the game. At numbers four, five, and six, Yadav, Pandya, and Sundar are looking likely to play.

3. Bowlers

Talking about bowling options, the team has persisted with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel. The latter didn’t play in the World Cup while Kumar’s bowling wasn’t that satisfactory. On the other hand, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj are also on the team. The team might go with Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.