Published - | Updated - February 1, 2023 09:39 am
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India’s young top-order will be under pressure to deliver in the third T20I against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
It is fair to say that the trio of Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi will have to cash in on opportunities in the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.
Ishan Kishan has not been able to find rhythm with the bat since his double century in Bangladesh, Gill has been troubled by the turning ball, and has not been able to replicate the ODI form in the shorter format.
Rahul Tripathi also could not take advantage of the opportunities he got in the absence of regular number three Kohli.
Had it not been for Suryakumar and Hardik, India would have struggled more to chase down 100 on Sunday.
Now it remains to be seen whether the players will get a chance to negotiate another turning track at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have combined to help India put pressure on the opposition.
With the pitch offering a huge amount of turn, it was surprising that Chahal was given only two overs after dismissing opener Finn Allen.
With the series on the line, Pandya is unlikely to make a change in the playing XI despite clamor to include Prithvi Shaw.
After battling a no-ball, Arshdeep Singh was back to his best in Lucknow and that gave him plenty of confidence going into the decider.
New Zealand will expect more from their middle order. Will be extremely excited for the opportunity or the challenge of winning a rare series in India.
Glenn Phillips hasn’t been at his best but count on him to play a match-winning knock on Wednesday.
The last T20 played here nearly two years ago saw over 200 runs scored and fans would be hoping after a low-scoring encounter in Lucknow.
ODI series sensation Michael Bracewell is also a game-changing series. Mark Chapman would also like to contribute significantly. New Zealand used eight bowling options in the previous game, with four spinners bowling their entire overs.
Team India: Hardik Pandya (captain), Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh , Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Dane Cleaver (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Benjamin Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips (wk), Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi.