The first T20I match between New Zealand and India will be played on Feb 6.
The team management will have a headache to choose the right combination for the T20I matches, given that there are lots of options to choose from. Virat Kohli has been rested from the T20I series as well and Rohit Sharma will lead the team in his absence in New Zealand.
Considering all the probabilities, Team COC brings to you the predicted playing XI of the Indian team for the first T20I match.
Given that these two have wreaked havoc in limited overs Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will most probably open for India and given their recent form and overall record in the T20I format, New Zealand might have some problem on their hands.
With Virat Kohli rested and Indian team looking to experiment with their playing combination, MS Dhoni might get to bat higher up the order with Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav following him and providing both stability and hitting prowess in the middle order.
Pant has shown that he is dangerous with the bat in the shortest format, and Karthik has been given the responsibility of finishing the innings. Kedar Jadhav brings the all-around skills of bowling and batting down the order on the table, providing fireworks in final overs.
In main bowling options, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed can be the chosen ones in the fast bowling department with Yuzvendra Chahal being the main spinner.
COC Predicted India Playing XI for the first T20I:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (C), MS Dhoni (WK), Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed