IND vs NZ T20 Series: 5 BIG Decisions VVS Laxman & Hardik Pandya need to take for 2nd T20, Check OUT

IND vs NZ T20 Series: India are all set for a T20 overhaul as they look to bounce back from their disappointing loss to England in the semifinals of the World Cup. A next-gen team led by Hardik Pandya begins the new phase with a series against New Zealand starting on September 18. Many from the VVS Laxman-coached team will be expected to headline action when India do travel to the 2024 T20 World Cup. Follow India vs NewZealand LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN

Also Read: India Cricket Team Overhaul: Ex-chairman of Selectors K Srikkanth wants Hardik Pandya to lead India in T20 WC 2024, says ‘Have Hardik captain and start rebuilding’

IND vs NZ T20 Series: India’s T20 REBOOT begins, 5 BIG Decisions VVS Laxman & Hardik Pandya will need to take in NewZealand, Check OUT

With the seniors resting and a host of new faces and places up for grabs, VVS Laxman and Hardik Pandya will both have to take some big decisions. India’s lack of fearlessness and innovation cost them the chance to clinch a T20 World Cup title, and the captain-coach duo will look to plug that in the upcoming series.

Here, Insidesport.IN looks at 5 BIG Decisions VVS Laxman and Hardik Pandya will need to take in New Zealand

Decision 1: Opening combination

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were statistically one of the worst opening combinations in the T20 World Cup. The duo got flak for their timid approach in the powerplay with the Men in Blue averaging only 37 in the first six overs. Laxman has four opening options under his belt – Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. While Gill is making his debut, the others have opened previously with mixed result and the India will hope that they can step up.

Decision 2: Do India need finishers?

The lack of a finisher has hurt India often in T20Is, but the Men in Blue have a good track record without having a designated hitter at the backend. The likes of Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson all like taking their time early and build on late in the innings. If the situation demands, they can also be aggressive from the get go, diminishing the need for a finisher. India experimented with Dinesh Karthik over the past six months, with little success, hurting the team’s balance.

Decision 3: Where does Hardik Pandya?

Now captain, Hardik Pandya will have to zero down on a position for him in the batting order. Pandya batted at No.5 during the T20 World Cup scoring a fine fifty against England in the semifinal. For Gujarat in the IPL, he has often promoted himself to No.3 and No.4, with great success, enjoying a career best season. Being the most experienced in the current crop of batters, the Indian captain will have more responsibility to deliver and it remains to be seen how he handles the role in international cricket.

Decision 4: Yuzvendra Chahal vs Kuldeep Yadav

India stuck with Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin throughout their T20 World Cup campaign, but the finger spinners struggled to make inroads and were expensive when counted upon. Yuzvendra Chahal warmed the bench for the entire tournament but should get a starring role in this series. He could also be reunited with Kuldeep Yadav, rebanding their famous ‘KulCha’ pair. Kuldeep is also making his comeback after a string of injuries and will be keen to set his marker.

Decision 5: Umran vs Harshal vs Siraj

Barring Arshdeep Singh, none of the Indian bowlers made a mark at the death. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was effective with the new ball but was taken apart in the semifinal. With Shami out of the equation, India will be searching for their third seamer for the T20Is. Umran Malik makes a return giving Indian cricket an opportunity to groom the tearaway quick two years before the 2024 T20 WC. Mohammed Siraj also gets a return into the T20I set up. Harshal Patel remains a part of the squad having warmed the bench throughout the T20 WC.