IND vs NZ: 1st T20I Preview – India commence a new chapter under Rohit-Dravid
After coming agonizingly close to completing their double of ICC trophies, New Zealand fell short against Australia in the T20 World Cup final. Hours after that defeat, they come up for a stiff challenge against India away from home for three T20Is and two Tests, the series getting underway with the first T20I in Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium on November 17.
India, meanwhile, have plenty riding on the series too, as they take their first assignment following the premature exit in the T20 World Cup, where they lost to New Zealand as well. The series marks the start of several new things, including Rahul Dravid’s stint as the team’s head coach as Ravi Shastri’s tenure came to a close with India’s World Cup campaign end, and Rohit Sharma’s as India’s T20I captain as Virat Kohli stepped down from his position.
India will not be at their full strength, as the selectors, keeping in mind the significant amount of time the all-format players have spent in bio-bubbles over the last year, have opted to rest them. The key names missing are Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya, while plenty of new faces have been welcomed into the team on the back IPL performances, including Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel.
Match Details
Match – India vs New Zealand
Venue – Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Time – 07:30 PM IST
Head to head
Team News
India
With many first-choice players rested, India is certain to give a go to the young, fresh names in the series. Venkatesh Iyer will be in line to make his India debut with Hardik Pandya being unavailable. Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel will form the spin core.
New Zealand
New Zealand has the same squad that participated at the T20 World Cup available for the upcoming series. However, a bizarre hand injury has ruled out Devon Conway. Kane Williamson has also decided to rest himself from this series. Tim Southee shall lead the troops in his absence. Mark Chapman is expected to replace him.
Probable XI
