New Delhi: The first match of the five-match T20 series between India and New Zealand will be played on Thursday, October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The match will start at 12:30 pm Indian time. After Jasprit Bumrah was given rest, all eyes are on Team India's playing-11.
In the absence of Bumrah, the responsibility of fast bowling is expected to remain on the shoulders of experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh. Bhuvneshwar will lead the attack and it is almost certain that Arshdeep will play. There is a contest between Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav for the third fast bowler. In the current equations, Prince Yadav may get priority. The team also has fast bowling all-rounders like Shivam Dubey and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but it will be interesting to see whether both of them get a place together or not.
Varun returns to spin, Kuldeep out?
The return of Varun Chakraborty, who is returning from injury, to the playing-11 is considered certain. He could not play the Asian Games 2026 and the T20 series against West Indies due to injury. Due to his return, Kuldeep Yadav may have to sit out. All-rounder Naman Dhir is also expected to get a place. He played all five T20 matches of the home series against West Indies. It will not be easy for Axar Patel to make a place in the playing eleven.
Who will get a chance to bat?
The team management can once again express confidence in Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as the opening pair. After this, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Verma will handle the middle order. Shreyas will play an important role in batting along with captaincy. Young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was in the news for his stormy batting, is finding it difficult to get a chance in the first match.
Probable playing XI of both the teams
India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Naman Dheer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. Bench: Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Mayank Yadav.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Bevan Jacobs, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.