India have brought a large squad across for the T20I series, suggesting there could be a fair amount of rotation in their group.
By contrast, the home side have only called up players in the frame for the best XI the Black Caps can field.
New Zealand vs India | Wednesday, 6 February | Westpac Stadium, Wellington | 09:00
To Win Match
New Zealand 5/4
Tie 35/1
India 67/100
New Zealand
New Zealand have named a fairly settled squad for the first T20I, though Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner have earned maiden call-ups – rewards for excellent form in domestic T20s.
The Black Caps’ big dangerman is Colin Munro. The aggressive top-order batsman has three centuries in the shortest format – a New Zealand record.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme brings so much to this Black Caps team, with his big-hitting and consistent seam bowling – and will be familiar to most of the India squad thanks to his exploits in the Indian Premier League.
Trent Boult will sit out the series, as his workload is managed with one eye on the 2019 World Cup in England.
India
Options might turn into a theme for India in this series, with plenty of players available to fill most positions.
There are three wicketkeepers in the squad, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni is likely to hold onto the gloves if he makes the XI, ahead of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant.
Khaleel Ahmed has gone a long way toward cementing a permanent place in the T20I side with a strong start to his career – and he should be afforded more opportunities to impress while Jasprit Bumrah is rested.
Rohit Sharma will captain the squad in the absence of the rested Virat Kohli, who will only return for the Test series.
Verdict: India 67/100
India have too much firepower and variety to not be firm favourites to start the T20I series with a win.
