India vs New Zealand 2017: India's probable XI for second T20I

After sweeping aside the New Zealand side in a one-sided first T20I in New Delhi, Virat Kohli-led Indian team would be looking forward to sealing the series in Rajkot come 4th November. With Ashish Nehra's spot now vacant in the team, it will be interesting to see who is drafted in - Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, or another batsman.

Here's how we think the Indian team is going to line up in the second T20I of the three-match series.

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Openers

Rohit Sharma

After a cautious start, the Mumbaikar dismantled the Kiwi bowling line-up en route a 55-ball-80 in the first match of the series. Along with his opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit added 158 runs for the first wicket. The 30-year-old would want to do more of the same in this match as well.

Shikhar Dhawan

Forming the second half of one of the most lethal opening pair is Shikhar Dhawan, who was adjudged the man of the match in the first T20I for his belligerent knock of 80 runs in 52 deliveries.

With both of them currently playing the best cricket of their lives, it's highly unlikely that the team management would want to disrupt their flow by throwing in Shreyas Iyer or even Kohli to open the innings in the match.

Middle Order

Virat Kohli (c)

Easily the best T20I batsman in the business, skipper Kohli will walk in at number three irrespective of the match situation. Though Pandya was sent in at one down in the last match, the experiment didn't work out well and eventually, Kohli had to do the job for which the former was sent in.

Shreyas Iyer

The youngster from Mumbai had been knocking on the door for an India cap for more than a couple years now. Though he did make his debut in the last match, owing to a mammoth 158-run opening partnership, the likes of Dhoni and Pandya were sent ahead of him. Same can be the case in this match as well, however, if the match situation is favourable, Iyer will walk in after the fall of the second wicket.

MS Dhoni (wk)

The experienced campaigner has proved all his doubters wrong in 2017. On top of his batting, he has acted as a shield for Kohli the skipper, easing him into probably the hardest job in international cricket.

All-rounders

Hardik Pandya

The 24-year-old has taken the cricketing circles by storm and has developed into one of the best all-rounders currently in the sport within a year of making his ODI debut. Pandya's job has been clearly defined by the team management, to go after the bowling from the very first ball and chip in with his medium-fast bowling as and when required. That he is a brilliant fielder as well is just a bonus for the Indian team management, who had been on the lookout for a fast-bowling all-rounder since time immemorial.

Axar Patel

The left-arm spinner is just 23 years of age and still has a lot to give to the Indian cricketing set-up. Since Ashwin and Jadeja's ouster from the limited overs set-up, Axar, along with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, has cemented his place in the squad. A handy batsman lower down the order, Axar can be a crucial player in the long run for India.

Spinner

Yuzvendra Chahal

The gutsy leg-spinner from Haryana was one of the best bowlers for the Men in Blue in the first T20I, and he'd want to do more of the same in the second match as well. Not afraid to toss the ball up to the batsmen, Chahal is arguably the best wicket-taking option for Kohli, after probably Bhuvenshwar and Bumrah. With Axar in the mix as well, it is likely that India will go in with only Chahal as their out-and-out spinning option.

Pacers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

One of the top practitioners of swing-bowling in world cricket, Bhuvneswar Kumar will lead the line for India yet again. Equally adept at bowling in the powerplay, as well as in the death, Bhuvi is a crucial part of the Indian bowling set-up in both the limited overs formats.

Jasprit Bumrah

Unarguably the best death bowler in the world currently, Bumrah has taken his game to an altogether different level in the past few months and is set to spearhead Indian bowling for years to come.

Mohammed Siraj

Completing the pace-battery for India will be the new-entrant Mohammed Siraj, replacing the now-retired Ashish Nehra. Siraj was a force to reckon with in the IPL earlier this year and deserved the call-up to the Indian T20I team. If the team management decides to go with the same composition as the last match, the youngster will definitely make his debut.