India's predicted playing XI for the 1st T20I against New Zealand

India will take on New Zealand in the 1st T20I in the 3-match T20I series on 6th February, Wednesday in Wellington. India beat New Zealand in the 5-match ODI series but received a reality check of sorts when Trent Boult ran through the Indian batting order in the 4th ODI.

The same scenario seemed to have repeated itself when India were struggling at 18/4 in the 5th ODI but responsible and dogged rearguard response from Vijay Shankar and Ambati Rayudu, followed by cameos from Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav, helped India post a decent total. Yuzvendra Chahal led the bowling attack with Kuldeep Yadav being rested and India won by 35 runs in the 5th ODI at Wellington.

India will want to carry forward the momentum of the 4-1 series win in the ODIs and extend their dominance to the T20Is as well.

Although, with no Virat Kohli, India will have a tougher outing, but they certainly have the talent to upstage the Kiwis at their home.

Let's take a look at India's predicted playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand:

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Openers - Rohit Sharma (Captain) and Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are almost sure to open the innings for India in every match. Both the batsmen had a good time in the ODI series but struggled in the last 2 games against Boult and Matt Henry, and they'll want to make amends for their horrendous show in those games.

Rohit Sharma will lead India in this series in the absence of Virat Kohli and will want to lead from the front with his performance. Rohit has been exceptional in T20Is in recent times and will want to keep the good stuff going.

Rohit's captaincy record in T20s is very good and he has ably managed Mumbai Indians in the IPL as well. We can surely expect some fireworks from Rohit in Wellington. Rohit wasn't at his best in the ODIs as he scored 169 runs in 5 innings, averaging 33.80.

Shikhar Dhawan finally found his form against New Zealand after a lean patch against Australia but the last two games were be a big reality check for him. He scored 188 runs in 5 innings, averaging 47 and will want to score big in the 1st T20I.

Middle Order - Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (WK) and Kedar Jadhav

MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav

Shubman Gill is likely to miss out for the 1st T20I as he might me replaced by Rishabh Pant. Pant was excellent in the India A series against England Lions and must be given a chance in the shortest format of the game where he's most destructive.

Shubman Gill is certainly a talented player but his debut seems to be a bit ill-timed and playing Pant at no.3 can do India some good, though it's a risky move. Also playing Pant at no.3 will force him to curb the aggression right from the start and to go big after settling in.

MS Dhoni, after a great ODI series in Australia showed signs of his former brilliance in New Zealand as well. He missed the 3rd and 4th ODIs due to injury and was ripped up by a Trent Boult beauty in the 5th ODI.

Many people have been calling for Dhoni's exit from T20I cricket but his performance in the 2nd ODI clearly showed that the old war horse has got a lot of steam left in him. With no Virat Kohli, Dhoni will be a real asset and will certainly assist Rohit with the captaincy besides providing a solid middle order option.

Kedar Jadhav last played a T20I game for India in October 2017 and though his performances in ODIs have called for a T20I return, he hasn't got the chance yet and this series against New Zealand might just be it.

Jadhav picked up key wickets and was economical with the ball while scoring vital runs whenever he was called upon to bat. In the last two ODI series against Australia and New Zealand, Jadhav has struck the ball very well and his strike rate is excellent. He provides immense value and is a great utility player who deserves to play this match.

All Rounders - Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya

A lot will be expected from Hardik Pandya

Vijay Shankar played an instrumental role in India's win in the 5th ODI. The all rounder was thankfully given another chance to express himself and he showed his maturity and class as he patiently rescued India, along with Rayudu, and stroked his way to 45 runs off 64 balls and was unlucky to get run out.

Shankar didn't get a chance to bat in the other matches and it would've been unfair if he didn't get to do so and was dropped due to lack of runs.

He's most likely to feature in the playing XI ahead of Krunal Pandya as the Wellington pitch clearly supports pace bowlers more than spinners. Shankar is more than handy with the bat and has hit some lusty blows in the IPL and will add some depth to the Indian batting line-up.

Hardik Pandya completed a great comeback to the Indian side after he smashed a 22-ball 45 in the 5th ODI and picked up two key wickets. Pandya proved why he's such an integral part of the side and will be their third seamer ahead of Vijay Shankar.

India will expect some big shots from him towards the latter end of the innings. He has also been electric on the field and will be the one to keep an eye on at all times.

Spinners - Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have formed a great partnership

There is no doubt that the spin twins will be in India's playing XI. The duo have looked virtually unplayable when bowling at opposite ends and while bowling in tandem, they create mayhem.

Yuzvendra Chahal has been more successful in T20Is than Kuldeep Yadav and the Chinaman will want to catch up with his teammate against the Kiwis, who are struggling to read him.

Playing in a pitch which doesn't offer too much turn will be a good test for them and they will want to get off to a good start in the series.

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Pacers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddharth Kaul

Siddharth Kaul should get a chance to play in the 1st T20I

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be India's first choice seamer for the 1st T20I with neither Shami nor Bumrah being part of the squad. Bhuvi had a good time in Australia and is having a decent tour of New Zealand as well.

He picked up 7 wickets in 5 ODIs and has maintained a good economy rate. The Wellington surface will assist the pacers a lot, and with the wind likely to blow stronger during the evening, the first few overs will be key for him while handling the new ball.

Siddharth Kaul should pip Khaleel Ahmed for the spot of the second pacer for the 1st T20I. Kaul has a good record in the 2 T20Is he has played and has been in good form playing for the India A side as well.

Khaleel has been tried out in both Australia and in New Zealand and he hasn't delivered with the goods. Kaul is a very good option in the death overs and has way more T20 cricket experience than Khaleel. He should be given another chance to express himself.