As the countdown to the T20 World Cup intensifies, India and New Zealand are preparing for their final clash before the tournament. This match holds no stakes for the series but is crucial for both teams in assessing their line-ups.
India’s Team Dynamics
India is close to finalizing their best XI. In the last match, they made several changes, including playing Harshit Rana at No. 7 while resting Varun Chakravarthy. The modifications reflect their search for the right combination ahead of the World Cup.
Sanju Samson has been given an opportunity to perform on his home ground in Trivandrum, especially as he replaces Shubman Gill, who has struggled for runs lately. The Indian team aims to observe whether Samson can secure his position before the World Cup.
New Zealand’s Challenges
New Zealand, dealing with injuries and squad availability, has recently added Finn Allen to their roster. Allen had an impressive performance in the Big Bash League (BBL), scoring 466 runs at an average of 184.18. However, he needs to acclimate to Indian conditions, having only played a few T20Is and ODIs in the past.
Key Players to Watch
- Devon Conway: He has consistently opened for New Zealand, but with Allen’s arrival, his position in the lineup is uncertain.
- Ishan Kishan: He missed the last match due to a minor injury but is expected to play, possibly raising questions about his batting order.
Probable Line-ups
As both teams prepare, their probable line-ups indicate their strategies.
India’s Likely XI
- 1. Abhishek Sharma
- 2. Sanju Samson (wk)
- 3. Ishan Kishan/Shreyas Iyer
- 4. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)
- 5. Hardik Pandya
- 6. Rinku Singh
- 7. Shivam Dube
- 8. Harshit Rana/Axar Patel
- 9. Arshdeep Singh
- 10. Jasprit Bumrah
- 11. Varun Chakravarthy/Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand’s Likely XI
- 1. Finn Allen
- 2. Devon Conway (wk)
- 3. Rachin Ravindra
- 4. Daryl Mitchell
- 5. Glenn Phillips
- 6. Mark Chapman
- 7. Mitchell Santner (capt)
- 8. Zak Foulkes/James Neesham
- 9. Michael Bracewell/ Ish Sodhi
- 10. Kyle Jamieson/Matt Henry
- 11. Jacob Duffy
This match will serve as a final rehearsal for both teams as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. Each player’s performance will be vital in securing their spot in the tournament and establishing momentum.
