With the ICC T20 World Cup, 2020 is less than 10 months to go, India and New Zealand will be locking horns with each other in a series of five T20Is, starting this Friday. After a highly successful home season, India has now shifted its focus to New Zealand as both teams face each other for the first since the semi-final of last year’s ICC Cricket World Cup. The morale in the New Zealand team isn’t quite high after a trashing in Australia.
However, the Kiwis will look for a quick turnaround against the Indians. Both teams have named strong squads with the first T20I setting the tone for the series to follow. With the Eden Park playing host to the series opener, one can expect an entertaining game of cricket. India will be looking to improve their T20I record in New Zealand as they have won just one game out of the 5 matches they have played.
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A high-scoring game can be expected in Auckland with the last T20I played at the Eden Park yielding 292 runs in 22 overs. The relatively small boundaries go against the spinners with the fast bowlers enjoying conditions early on with the new ball. Chasing would be the ideal scenario for both the team with 175 being par on this surface. Here are some of the predictions for the game:
New Zealand
The Kiwis should field their strongest team with Kane Williamson leading the team after missing the series against England. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill are expected to open the batting with Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor also set to feature in the batting unit. Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee will be proving some batting depth while Ish Sodhi is certain to play as the lead spinner. Hamish Bennett is in line to make his T20I debut with Scott Kuggleijn likely to get the nod over Tickner.
Predicted XI: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggleijn, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, and Hamish Bennett.
India:
Shikhar Dhawan’s injury has provided the opportunity for KL Rahul to open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma. India’s batting unit is quite formidable with Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey also set to feature on Friday. Shivam Dube is likely to get the playing Xi as he is still keeping the place warm for Hardik Pandya with Ravindra Jadeja following in as well.
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While Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami lead the bowling attack, India would be pondering on the prospect of fielding both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav together. Thakur’s added batting ability should give him the edge over Saini as the Indians look to strike the first blow in this series.
Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey/ Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Fantasy XI Prediction:
KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Kane Williamson, Colin Munro (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Colin de Grandhomme, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ish Sodhi, and Scott Kuggleijn
