The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand begins today at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, with the first match starting at 7:00 PM IST.
This opener is a key preparation game for both sides ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, following India's 2-1 victory in the recent ODI series.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I Team News
India Team News
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India faces the absence of Tilak Varma due to injury. Captain Suryakumar has confirmed Ishan Kishan will feature at No. 3. Shreyas Iyer is available but unlikely to play the opener.
Jasprit Bumrah returns to lead the pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, with Varun Chakravarthy preferred over Kuldeep Yadav for the spin role due to recent form. The side balances explosive batting with a strong bowling unit suited
to home conditions. The form of Suryakumar will be crucial as well as the India captain has been out of form for some time.
New Zealand Team News
Captained by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand fields a balanced squad with Devon Conway as wicketkeeper-opener and key contributors like Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips in the middle order. All-rounders James Neesham and Rachin Ravindra add depth, while the bowling relies on Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and spinners Ish Sodhi and Santner. The team adapts to spin-friendly pitches without major injury concerns.
IND vs NZ T20I Squads
India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
New Zealand Squad: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes
IND vs NZ 1st T20I Predicted Playing 11
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
