The first match of the five-match T20 series between India and New Zealand is being played today at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Both the teams are facing each other for the first time on this ground. Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Indian team is batting first.
India’s playing 11
Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand’s playing 11
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Christian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy.
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium pitch report
The first T20 match between India and New Zealand will be played on a black soil pitch. Bowlers will get help here. There have not been many big scores in the 13 T20 International matches played so far on this ground. Team India has played four T20 matches on this ground so far. During this period, the Indian team has won 2 matches, while it has faced defeat in two matches. India has the lowest score in T20 on this ground. Team India could score only 79 runs against New Zealand in the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan will play at number three, Shreyas Iyer will not get a place.
Even before the match, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has made it clear that Ishan Kishan will play at number three. It is clear from this that Shreyas Iyer will not get a place in the playing eleven. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will open the innings. In view of the preparations for the T20 World Cup, Rinku Singh can be tested as a match finisher.
match prediction
New Zealand team has more than one player in the form of Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry, but still our match prediction is showing Team India having the upper hand in this match. Team India’s chances of victory are high. The contest is 60-40. The toss will be very important. New Zealand team can cause upsets while chasing.
