NZ v IND 2019: COC Predicted India Playing XI for the first T20I

The first T20I match between New Zealand and India will be played on Feb 6.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are perhaps the most dangerous opening combos in T20I | AFPAfter the conclusion of Team India’s 4-1 ODI series win in New Zealand, the focus now shifts to the 3- match T20I series, which will commence with the first match to be played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington 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.

MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant can form a dangerous middle order | Getty

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.

We might get to see the Pandya brothers playing together for the first time As for the lower order, the Pandya brothers, Krunal and Hardik will be the best bet for last overs hitting and Krunal provides a spin option and Hardik provides a fast bowling option to back the regular bowlers. This might also be the first time the two brothers play for India in international cricket.

Chahal and Bhuvneshwar might provide the experience needed in bowling department | AP

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

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 05 Feb, 2019

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