Ranchi: The first match of the 3-match T20 cricket series between India and New Zealand will be played in Ranchi tonight at 7.30 pm.
The New Zealand cricket team is touring India. India won the 3-match ODI series between the two teams 3-0. In this case, both the teams will face each other in a 3-match T20 cricket series. The first match will be played tonight at 7.30 pm in Ranchi.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammad Siraj and Mohammad Shami have been rested for the T20I series against New Zealand in view of the Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia which starts on February 9. Thus, the Indian team, led by Hardik Pandya, is fielding with regular players and 2nd level players.
Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Rudraj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuvendra Chahal along with opener Prithvi Shah, Rahul Tripathi, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Jitesh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are in the squad.
Among them is Mumbai-based Prithvi Shah, who has returned to the squad after a top-class performance in the Ranji Trophy. Recently, he scored a record 379 runs against Assam. 23-year-old Prithvi Shah last played for India in July 2021. He has since lost his place due to poor form.
Despite being back in the team, will Prithvi Shaw get a chance in the playing XI for today’s game? It is doubtful. Because Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan are playing in the starting lineup. Especially Shubman Gill had blasted a double century and 2 centuries in the last 4 innings.
Even in the absence of senior batsmen like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Dripathi, the team’s batting is still strong. The bowling may be a bit of a concern. Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar are fast bowlers in the team.
Among them, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Shivam Mavi may be given a chance. Arshdeep Singh scored 37 runs in two overs in the T20 match against Sri Lanka in Pune. Moreover, he had done the worst by throwing hat-trick noballs. He may learn from mistakes and focus on performing at his best.
Shivam Mavi, on the other hand, grabbed 4 wickets and conceded 22 runs in his debut game. A steady pacer, he may try to put pressure on the New Zealand batting line-up along with Umran Malik. In terms of spin, Washington Sundar is likely to field alongside Kuldeep Yadav.
The New Zealand team will be led by Mitchell Sandner. Having lost the ODI series, the team may focus on putting up a good performance in the T20I series. Daven Conway, who hit 138 runs off 100 balls in the Indore match, Michael Bracewell, who hunted 140 runs off 78 balls in the Hyderabad match, along with Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips are likely to strengthen the batting.
Time: 7.30 pm
Live: Star Sports
