After the 2022 T20 World Cup failure, India’s next T20 assignment will be against New Zealand. The series starts on November 18th. India will not have the majority of the seniors in this squad. This tournament will be crucial in the buildup of the fresh T20I squad for Team India. On that note, here, we predict India’s strongest playing 11 for the T20I series against New Zealand.
Openers: Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant (WK)
Gill and Pant will be the openers in India’s strongest playing 11 for the T20I series against New Zealand. After his success in IPL 2022, Shubman Gill has been given a chance in the T20I squad. It is important for India that he cracks the format at the international level, too.
Rishabh Pant could open the innings ahead of Ishan Kishan. At the moment, it looks to be the only way to fit Pant into the XI. Ishan is likely to be the backup for this slot.
Middle-Order: Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
Regroup ✅
Restart ✅#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/6QK7hLYxwd
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 16, 2022
Shreyas Iyer will take up the No.3 slot, in the absence of Virat Kohli. For Iyer, it is important that he does well on the bouncy tracks of New Zealand. It will help him cement his spot in the XI.
Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to be a part of the core of the Indian middle order for a long time. In this regard, the management will be keen to see how this duo goes about against the Kiwis.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya (C) and Washington Sundar
Hardik and Sundar will be the all-rounders in India’s strongest playing 11 for the T20I series against New Zealand. While Hardik Pandya will skipper the squad, Washington Sundar is all set to have a comeback.
It appears that Sundar is being groomed for the No.7 role in the T20I squad. For the player, maintaining his fitness will be of the utmost concern.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been selected for this squad and considering the inexperience of the other pacers, he is likely to lead the bowling attack. If not for Bhuvi, Mohammed Siraj will get a chance here.
Yuzvendra Chahal as the leggie is a must in the XI. Kuldeep Yadav will be his backup. While Arshdeep Singh is an obvious selection, Umran Malik’s raw pacer will make him the frontrunner for the third pacer’s role in the XI.
