India vs New Zealand | Predicted XI for Rajkot T20I

Like Delhi, the Rajkot pitch is also known to favour batsmen and looked completely devoid of grass prior to the game. After a one-sided display last game, Virat Kohli would have wanted to stick by the same eleven this time but Ashish Nehra’s farewell would mean a slight tweak in the side.

The experienced man had stated that India should stick with the combination of six bowlers in the shortest format and we expect Ravi Shastri to keep the plan same.

Predicted XI

Openers

Shikhar Dhawan- The southpaw exhibited his 360-degree prowess in Delhi as his effortless shots were showered all-over the ground. His 150 plus run stand with Rohit Sharma set the foundation for India’s mammoth score of 202.

Rohit Sharma- The Mumbaikar is in hot form at the moment and given that India are likely to gamble with five batsmen, they would hope every ounce of his form to go their way on Saturday. After his 55 balls 80 last game, which included six boundaries and four sixes, he is expected to go all the way.

Middle Order

Virat Kohli- The skipper hit a timely knock of 26 runs in 11 balls when the main objective was to keep the scorecard ticking. He hardly took time to settle after the dismissal of Hardik Pandya and went for three sixes, which reflects the supreme confidence he is enjoying at the moment.

Shreyas Iyer- The youngster didn’t get a chance to bat in the last game, but he was selected on the back of some mind-boggling displays in the domestic tournaments and A tours, and Kohli would want to fall back on his hands if India falter at the top.

MS Dhoni- Adam Gilchrist has branded Dhoni as irreplaceable and stated that he provides the perfect balance to India’s young, impulsive and aggressive side. And the former skipper has proved it time and again that Virat Kohli’s high-flying needs his experience now more than anytime else.

All Rounder

Hardik Pandya- This man remains untouchable. After failing to make any contribution with the bat, the supreme athlete pulled off an absolute blinder to dismiss Martin Guptill early on in the game and then sent Kane Williamson back to pavilion with his ball.

Bowlers-

Yuzvendra Chahal- Chahal did the trick for India in the middle overs when Tom Latham looked well settled. He took two wickets for 26 runs in four overs, which was one of the best bowling figures last game.

Axar Patel- Axar Patel comes to his home ground on the back of some sublime bowling in the last game. Being familiar with the track, the spinner would know what to expect in Rajkot and Kohli would bank on him heavily after he scalped two wickets for 20 runs last game.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar- The pitch-perfect bowler is expected to be amidst things yet again. Though he couldn’t get more wickets in the last game after dismissing Colin Munro with a cracking yorker early on, he restricted his economy rate to just 7.67.

Jasprit Bumrah- The slinger was a bit expensive last game but Kohli won’t mind it as long as he keeps taking wickets in intervals, which is the quintessential thing in T20 cricket.

Mohammad Siraj- With Ashish Nehra gone, the youngster from Hyderabad is likely to get the break today, and given the batting friendly wicket that Rajkot has to offer, Siraj will have to bring every ball in his books to make a good mark.