IND vs NZ T20: IPL 2023 – Focus shifts to the T20Is for India as they face New Zealand in the T20 series starting from Friday (January 27). The three matches will be the last three T20Is before the IPL 2023 season, and, hence skipper Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid will have three big decisions to make. With World Number one ranking at stake, India needs to plug holes in these departments and try and win the T20 series against Kiwis. But what are the three big decisions to make for Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid let’s find out? Follow IND vs NZ Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
First up Hardik & Rahul will need to sort the opening combinations. With Prithvi Shaw back in the T20 team, it will be interesting to see if the captain-coach duo gives the youngster a look in the playing XI. Second big decision all-rounder spot. Who will play along with Hardik? The third is the KULCHA combination. Will Dravid and Pandya opt to play both spinners?
IND vs NZ T20: Last T20 series before IPL 2023, Check 3 BIG Decisions Hardik Pandya & Rahul Dravid MUST Take to keep World No 1 rank intact in T20s, Follow LIVE Updates
IND vs NZ T20: Pandya and Dravid brainstorm on combinations, keen to test bench strength – With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and a few of the other senior players not there, India are keen to test the bench strength. But the question is whether Hardik and Dravid are keen to try different players.
1. Opening combination
It will be a direct shootout between Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. With Ishan Kishan fixed as one opener, only one slot remains. While Gill was the player of the series in the ODI series against New Zealand, in the T20Is he has failed to live up to the promise. In the three matches, he has scored 46 runs at just over a strike rate of 100. Shaw is more dynamic in approach in T20Is striking runs at a strike rate above 150. The Mumbai batter is in sublime form in domestic cricket as well. Gautam Gambhir feels Shaw should open in T20Is.
“He shouldn’t have been out anyway, as whenever he has got an opportunity, he has given India that kind of an explosive start. He is the right guy. He, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav perfectly fit the template India keeps talking about. Now that you have picked Shaw, persist with him,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports.
Prithvi Shaw vs Shubman Gill:
- Shaw has a strike rate of 152.34 in the powerplay in T20s.
- Shubman Gill struggles in that department with a strike rate of just 119.95.
- As India are looking at an express starter to replace KL Rahul for the long term, Shaw is the right candidate.
- However, Gill’s rich vein of form makes the selection decision difficult.
- Across formats, Gill has two centuries, one double century and two 50+ scores in his last 10 innings.
- With the Test series against Australia coming up, India would want to keep him in good stead.
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IND vs NZ T20: Last T20 series before IPL 2023, Check 3 BIG Decisions Hardik Pandya & Rahul Dravid MUST Take to keep World No 1 rank intact in T20s, Follow LIVE Updates
2. All-rounder Spot
It will be a shootout between Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar. Both players have grabbed their chances in whatever opportunities they have got. While Sundar is more of a bowling all-rounder, Hooda offers power hitting at death.
India have gone with Sundar ever since he made a comeback in the team during the away series against New Zealand. The off-spinner also offers matchups against right-hand batters. But if India wants to beef up the batting, they can opt for Hooda.
3. KULCHA in playing XI
If India opts to go with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, then Washington Sundar and Hooda can’t make it to the playing XI. Over the past year or so, India have made Chahal as their primary spinner in the T20Is. The leg spinner was the highest wicket-taker in T20Is in 2022 and has performed well. However, Kuldeep has also managed to do well in the chances that he has got in white-ball cricket. Kuldeep picked six wickets in the ODI series against New Zealand as was the highest wicket-taker.
IND vs NZ T20: Last T20 series before IPL 2023, Check 3 BIG Decisions Hardik Pandya & Rahul Dravid MUST Take to keep World No 1 rank intact in T20s, Follow LIVE Updates
Editors pick
