After a disappointing loss against Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, India will take on New Zealand on October 31 at the Dubai International Stadium.
The Indian team was outplayed by Pakistan in the last game. They managed to set a target of 152 runs, on the back of skipper Virat Kohli’s 57 runs. However, could not defend the total as Pakistan openers remained not out to take their side home. India lost the match by 10 wickets.
Tough day for #TeamIndia at the office, but we will bounce back in our next game.#T20WorldCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/mYwYXVN6xc
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2021
The Virat Kohli-led team will be keen to make a comeback in the tournament. With Hardik Pandya struggling with injury and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, not in good form, it will be interesting to see the combination that India goes in with.
On that note, let’s take a look at India’s predicted playing XI for the match against New Zealand.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul did not have a good outing in the opening match against Pakistan. He was dismissed for 3 runs by an inswinging length delivery by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rahul tried to whip the ball across the line, however, missed it completely, as the ball sneaked past to rattle the stumps.
The opener, though must not be thinking much, as he has scored tons of runs leading into the tournament. KL Rahul will be crucial for India, as he can bat in a different gear according to the situation.
2. Rohit Sharma
Like his opening partner, Rohit Sharma too had a forgettable outing in the opening match against Pakistan. He was dismissed lbw in the very first over on a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rohit was done by an inswinging yorker on the middle-stump, which hit him over the front leg’s ankle.
Rohit Sharma has over the years been a match-winner for India. He can take on any bowling attack in the world, on his day. The opening batter remains one of India’s best batters across formats.
3. Virat Kohli
The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli led the batting line-up from the front against Pakistan. When the wickets were trembling from one end, Kohli kept battling from the other. He scored 57 runs off 49 deliveries to take India to 151 runs. Unfortunately, the result did go in India’s favour.
With this being Kohli’s last assignment as India’s T20 skipper, the right-handed batter will be keen to turn India’s fortunes in the tournament and lift the trophy.
4. Suryakumar Yadav
In the last few years, Suryakumar Yadav has proved himself as a match-winner. In the last match, he started positively, by slamming a six and a boundary. However, could not convert the start as he edged a delivery to the keeper Mohammad Rizwan.
Suryakumar will be keen to rectify his mistakes this time around and go on to score a big one. Batting at number 4, he holds the key for India in the batting department.
5. Ishan Kishan
With Hardik Pandya struggling with injuries, Ishan Kishan may replace him in the playing XI for the match against New Zealand. Hardik was hit on his shoulder in the match against Pakistan. Even though the all-rounder has cleared the fitness test, the Indian management seems skeptical about his bowling.
Ishan Kishan stormed back to form in the end stages of IPL 2021. He was amongst runs in the warm-up matches leading into the tournament. It will be interesting to see if India, decides to drop Hardik Pandya.
6. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant played a substantial knock against Pakistan in the opening match. He contributed 39 runs off 30 balls, including 2 sixes and as many boundaries. The left-handed batter partnered with Virat Kohli to put together a 53 runs stands for the fourth wicket.
The wicket-keeper batter has been a vital cog in the wheel for India. He can take on the opposition bowlers and turn the game in India’s favour. India will be hoping Rishabh Pant shines in the finisher’s job.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja brings the balance in the Indian team. The all-rounder has been great with the bat over the last few years. In the last match, he scored 13 runs at Number 6 for India. Though he did not pick wickets, he was very economical with the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja is also an excellent fielder, which makes him an all-round player. Jadeja is an important player for India, playing lower down the wicket.
8. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur may find a place in India’s playing XI against New Zealand, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar seems to be off the boil. Bhuvneshwar conceded 25 runs in 3 overs at an economy rate of 8.3. He was also expensive in the warm-up match against England.
Shardul Thakur has been in good form off late. He was a golden arm for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. Not only with the ball, but Shardul is also a very handy batter.
9. Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy had an impressive run in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League 2021. He has proved to be a match-winner in these conditions. Varun conceded 33 runs in 4 overs against Pakistan. However, the management will back him to get back to his best in the upcoming match against New Zealand.
10. Mohammad Shami
Mohammad Shami had an off day against Pakistan in the opening match at the Dubai International Stadium. He conceded 43 runs at an economy rate of 11.2 in 3.5 overs. However, he must be confident, as he had a pretty good outing against England at the same venue in the warm-up matches.
The pacer will be keen to make a comeback in the upcoming match.
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as the lead pacer in the Indian team. He was in good form in the recently concluded IPL as he finished the season with 21 wickets. Even though he did not have the best of games against Pakistan, India will be hoping that their lead pacer, makes a stronger comeback.
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