After defeating the Blackcaps in the closely competed ODI series by 2-1, Team India must be looking to reinstate their dominance in the limited-overs cricket by whitewashing the Kiwis in the 3-match T20I series starting On Wednesday n Delhi.

Indian veteran pacer Ashish Nehra will take the cricket field for one last time in the national colors as the two teams will lock horns in the 1st India vs New Zealand T20I at Feroz Shah Kotla on 1 November.

Youngsters Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj received their maiden T20I call-ups ahead of the home series, but their chances of being selected in the playing XI are pretty meagre.

However, it seems that Nehra will replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the limited overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah is the obvious choice as he is the no.1 T20I bowler. A blend of three seamers and two specialist spinners could be seen, making Hardik Pandya the third seamer. Moreover, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel would lead the spin attack on Delhi’s flat deck.

KL Rahul who was dropped for ODI series has been picked for the shortest format. He might get at the no. 4 position especially in the absence of Kedar Jadhav. Dinesh Karthik might get a chance at No. 5, followed by MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya is what India is likely to field in T20I opener against New Zealand.

India’s Probable XI for the first T20I against New Zealand: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah.