New Zealand vs India 2019, 1st T20I: Preview and predicted playing XI

After the ODI series, now it is time for the shortest version of the game. Team India won the five-match ODI series comprehensively 4-1. In the last match, when they were struggling at 18-4, Ambati Rayadu and Vijay Shankar made sure that the story of the third ODI was not repeated.

The finish that Hardik Pandya provided will be a big takeaway for the Indian team. Mohammed Shami, who was excellent throughout the entire series, was given the Man of the Series award.

The first match of the three-match T20 series will be played in Wellington. It is interesting to note that New Zealand have the upper hand when it comes to bilateral T20 series against India.

So far, there have been three bilateral T20 series between the two nations, and New Zealand have won two out of those three.

Now coming to the Indian side, there will likely be a few changes in the Indian squad. India would be looking to continue their dominant run in the T20 series as well, but Shami is not part of the T20 squad. So there is a chance of Siddarth Kaul getting a game in.

Rishabh Pant might also come back in the playing XI in place of Shubman Gill.

Predicted playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul and Yuzvendra Chahal.

New Zealand, on the other hand, would want to come back hard at the Indian side. They have played 9 T20Is at the Westpac Stadium and have won 6 out of those, so they would come into this match with some confidence.

Many T20 specialists will come into the playing XI of New Zealand. Since Martin Guptill is not fit Henry Nicholls might open the batting with Colin Munro. Tim Seifert will come in as a wicketkeeper in place of Tom Latham.

Meanwhile, Trent Boult has been given rest for the T20 series, so Lockie Ferguson will likely play tomorrow.

Predicted playing XI: Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson