A new-look India will take on the beaten T20 World Cup finalist Black Caps just days after their heartbreaking loss in the UAE.
International cricket returns to India, but their hosting abilities in the pandemic remain in doubt, and this series is therefore hugely important.
India vs New Zealand | Wednesday 17 November 2021 | Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Jaipur | 15:30
To Win Match
India 62/100
Tie 25/1
New Zealand 27/20
India
Rohit Sharma will lead India having been appointed as the new T20 skipper after Virat Kohli’s resignation.
Kohli has also been rested for this series which opens a space in the squad for IPL batting sensation Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant continue to duel for the right to be India’s T20 gloveman but we could also see the former feature as a batsman, considering he is in great nick.
Big-hitting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has been likened to Yuvraj Singh already but faces some task getting into the playing XI.
New Zealand
New Zealand will need to pick themselves back up after an anti-climactic end to the T20 World Cup.
They will take confidence from their victory over India during the Super 12s phase of the tournament and cannot be written off.
The Jaipur surface will be the great unknown for New Zealand, but even those in India’s ranks have limited experience at the ground.
Devon Conway will miss the series after breaking his hand on his own bat during the T20 World Cup, and his absence will be felt in the top order.
New Zealand’s pace attack has given them an edge in the powerplay and India will likely look to unsettle Trent Boult, Tim Southee and company.
Verdict: India 62/100
On their home turf against a team that just suffered a deflating loss, India should have this.
