IND vs NZ: World Cup 2022 semifinalists India and New Zealand will resume their T20I rivalry on Friday after underwhelming on the biggest stage of them all. Team India faces a difficult task in the three-match T20I series against hosts New Zealand because they are already without the services of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul.
India to play with an inexperienced squad
The VVS Laxman-coached team will take on Kane Williamson and company in the first T20I on Friday at the Sky Stadium. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will serve as captain of the team.
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India is anticipated to debut a new opening batting duo for the first game of the series, with youngsters challenged with filling the gap left by veteran players. Although Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have been selected as the scheduled openers, Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opener, believes that in the shortest format, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant should start the match for the visitors.
Wasim believes Rishabh is better as an opener
Speaking in a show, Wasim said “I don’t think Rishabh has batted there (finisher). He has batted at No. 4 or No. 5 even for the Delhi Capitals, but those places are sealed by Surya and Hardik. I feel that when the field is up and if Rishabh Pant gets going then he is a dangerous player. His best position is at the top of the order.”
In his prediction of India’s starting lineup against the Black Caps in the first game of the series, the former Indian opener said that Pant is one player who can give India a strong start. The Indian team failed to include Pant in their lineup for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
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“Once he gets a start and is 20-30 not out in the powerplay then he is dangerous. Then even if the fielders are out, it doesn’t matter to him. But when he comes to bat at No. 5, the field is already out and the pressure is on him. It is difficult for him to hit sixes straightaway. He is such a player from whom you can expect a blistering start,” Jaffer added.
Wasim Jaffer’s playing 11 for IND vs NZ
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
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