T20 World Cup 2021: India vs New Zealand (NZ) Best Predicted Playing 11

India vs New Zealand: Hardik Pandya’s bowling in focus as we look at the predicted playing 11 for Team India and NZ for T20 World Cup 2021. 

Team India’s T20 World campaign started in a fashion they would have never liked it to be. They not only suffered their first-ever defeat against Pakistan in a World Cup but also their worst-ever defeat against any team in T20Is. It was a match to forget for the sub-continent giants. 

New Zealand, on the other hand, didn’t start well either. They also suffered a big loss against the same opponent, Pakistan. With both teams 1 match down, they would be looking for their first win. While a win will keep their World Cup hopes alive, a loss from here will make their Semi-final qualification scenario almost bleak. 

Historically, New Zealand have an upper hand over India having won 8 matches and losing 6. The result is even better in T20 World Cup with New Zealand winning both the encounters. From the batting standpoint, Colin Munro is the leading run-scorer between both teams with 426 runs. Whereas Ish Sodhi is the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets. 

So, with a competitive and intense match on the cards, which team will come out on the top. Let’s look at the match preview and Predicted Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2021 Group 2, India vs New Zealand match. Before that, let’s skim through Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2021. 

T20 World Cup 2021 – Official Squad for Team India: 

Batsmen: Ishan Kishan (WK), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur & Varun Chakravarthy

Reserves: Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer & Deepak Chahar 

Mentor: MS Dhoni // Captain: Virat Kohli // Vice-captain: Rohit Sharma

Match Details:

Tournament: ICC T20 World Cup 2021

Type: Group 2 – India vs New Zealand

Where: Dubai // When: 7:30 pm IST.

Openers: Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul

Pakistan game didn’t go well for both the openers as they faltered against the quality bowling of Shaheen Afridi. Even as the quality left-arm threat of Trent Boult looms in, India would not make any changes in the openers, and would continue with the right-handed Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. However, this time around, both would be expected to perform better. 

Middle-order: Virat Kohli (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav & Hardik Pandya

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya didn’t have a good outing with the bat against the quality bowling of Pakistan. Both fell for low scores, and looked out of touch. However, the Indian middle-order comprising of Captain Virat Kohli and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant were the only positives in the batting department for Team India. 

Meanwhile, even as Hardik suffered a shoulder injury in the match, the long gap saw him recovering well, and he is expected to be fully fit for the New Zealand game. Given the positive signs of Hardik bowling in the nets, the possible sixth bowling issue could finally be solved with Hardik giving those important overs. 

Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja & Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy bowled really well in the first three overs of the match including the important over in the powerplay, but the dew factor and pressure over at the end disturbed his figures. But India should persist him with given the promise he showed. Apart from him, Ravindra Jadeja should continue to be the force as the key all-rounder for Team India. 

Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Jasprit Bumrah

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s form will be a big concern for Team India going into New Zealand match. The pacer bowled 3 overs, but went for 25 runs. He has also not been in good form in the recently concluded IPL 2021, and was below-par in the warm-ups. There is an option of getting in Shardul Thakur or Rahul Chahar, but Team India may want to persist one more time with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

Apart from Bhuvi, India would need their wicket-taker Mohammed Shami back to taking wickets. Not only did Shami go wicketless in the last match but he was not economical either. But expect their star bowler to come back to form. India would also need Jasprit Bumrah to bring his A-game in an all-important encounter. 

T20 World Cup 2021 India vs New Zealand – Predicted Playing 11 for Team India:

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah & Varun Chakravarthy. 

For New Zealand, Martin Guptill is injured, and that could mean Devon Conway may be asked to open again alongside Daryl Mitchell. In place of Martin Guptill, New Zealand may bring in the all-rounder Mark Chapman. 

T20 World Cup 2021 India vs New Zealand – Predicted Playing 11 for New Zealand:

Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Glenn Philips, Tim Seifert (WK), Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee & Trent Boult. 

Top Players to Watch-out for:

Batsmen: KL Rahul, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway & Rohit Sharma

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

All-rounder: Mitchell Santner

Bowlers: Mohammed Shammi, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult & Jasprit Bumrah

CVC Choice: KL Rahul & Kane Williamson

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for Team India vs New Zealand (NZ) for T20 World Cup 2021? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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