New Zealand vs India, 1st T20I, Auckland: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

After a somewhat long home season, India will commence their overseas foray with a full tour of New Zealand, one that will kick off with 5 T20Is. India had toured New Zealand last year, winning the ODIs 4-1 but losing the T20Is 1-2, so they will want to avenge that.

India have had a decent run in T20Is since then despite losing the home series against Australia 0-2. They have beaten West Indies 3-0 in North America before drawing 1-1 against South Africa and beating Bangladesh 2-1, West Indies 2-1, and Sri Lanka 2-0 – all at home.

However, they received a blow before the New Zealand tour, losing Shikhar Dhawan to an ankle injury. Dhawan will be replaced by Sanju Samson for the T20Is (and uncapped Prithvi Shaw for the ODIs). Other than that, however, they will be carrying a full-strength squad.

New Zealand, on the other hand, had won 2-1 in Sri Lanka before losing a hard-fought series against England. The teams went into the decider with the series levelled 2-2, and – almost in an encore of the World Cup final – England won in the Super Over.

They will miss Trent Boult, who is yet to recover from an injury he sustained during the Trans-Tasman Series, but even without him they have a squad of enviable strength.

History also favours New Zealand (they hold an 8-3 lead). Always formidable at home, they will start the series as favourites.

Head to head

New Zealand had won the first 5 T20Is between the sides before India gained some ground to bring the difference down to 3-8. New Zealand lead 4-1 on home soil.

Key players

Tim Seifert (New Zealand): Seifert first rose into prominence with a 43-ball 84 against India last year, an innings where he thrashed a formidable attack all around Basin Reserve. Having failed to score another fifty till now, Seifert will want to repeat last year’s performance.

KL Rahul (India): Of late Rahul has opened as well as batted at 3, 4, and 5 and even kept wickets. More importantly, with a strike rate of 146, he has been the most prolific Indian batsman in the format. With Dhawan out of the equation for some time, a couple of quality innings may seal a T20 World Cup spot for Rahul.

Likely XIs

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Hamish Bennett, Blair Tickner.

India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah.

Prediction

New Zealand to go 1-0 up.