The Men in Blue are headed off to New Zealand for another blistering series including 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests. They are having an amazing year as they’ve won both the series they played till now. The first T20I between the teams will be played on January 24th at the Eden Park in Auckland, beginning at 12:30 PM IST.
The teams last met each other during the World Cup 2019 semi-final where the Blackcaps handed over an 18-run defeat to the Men in Blue, ending their world cup campaign. The exceptional bowling performance from New Zealand bowlers made it difficult for the Indian players to stay longer at the crease. Now, in the upcoming tournament, Virat & Co. shall be looking forward to avenging their previous defeat.
However, as the series will be played in New Zealand, the hosts will surely give a tough time to the visitors as they are the lions in their den. Further, team India hasn’t played the shortest format of the game for quite some time now, and thus, their performance in overseas conditions will be under doubt.
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The pitch in Auckland offers good batting conditions, aiding big scores in the game. Thus, the team winning the toss shall opt to bat first here in order to make most of the pitch conditions.
Weather reports suggest a clear sky, ideal for a game day. There are no chances of rain, and the temperature will be somewhere around 18-23 degrees Celsius.
Team News
India
Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the series after he injured his shoulder during the last ODI against Australia in Bengaluru. Sanju Samson has been added to the team, and KL Rahul has been announced as the wicket-keeper. In absence of Dhawan, Rohit and Rahul shall open for the team with Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey to back the middle-order.
Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (WK), Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini.
New Zealand
We might see Martin Guptill and Colin Munro opening for the hosts. Followed by skipper Kane Williamson along with Tim Siefert and Ross Taylor to support the middle-order of the team. The team will incorporate pacers to take the benefit of pitch conditions.
Probable Playing XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Scott Kuggelejin
Key Players
India
Rohit Sharma
KL Rahul
New Zealand
Colin Munro
Martin Guptill
Head-to-Head
Total: 11
India: 3
New Zealand: 8
No Result: 0
