Fantasy Cricket Tips: A new challenge awaits for the Indian cricket team as they face New Zealand in an away five-match T20I India vs New Zealand series. Coming on the back of a successful home season, the Indian team will be riding high on confidence and would hope to continue their dominant run even against the Kiwis.
On the other hand, the hosts would aim to make a fresh start and put aside the disappointment after a poor show against Australia. Both the teams will eye a winning start in the first T20I at Eden Park in Auckland.
Weather Conditions: The weather is expected to stay clear throughout the match hours. The temperature will be hovering near the low 20s. There are no chances of rain as the weather might not hamper the match proceedings.
Pitch Conditions: Eden Park at Auckland fancies a drop-in pitch which usually offers some help for the spinners. However, the pitch has traditionally been a batsmen-friendly surface. With short straight boundaries, it makes shot-making relatively easy for the batters.
Total T20s played: 20
Matches won batting first: 9
Matches won bowling first: 8
Average 1st innings score: 168
Average 2nd innings score: 149
Injury and availability news: Both the teams will feature their full-strength squad with no reported injuries to any players so far. India has named Sanju Samson as a replacement to Shikhar Dhawan, while Kiwi speedster Trent Boult remains unavailable.
Probable Playing XIs:
India:
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
Bench – Shivam Dube, Manish Pandey, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert (Wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Daryll Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Scott Kuggeleijn
Bench – Tom Bruce, Blair Tickner, Hamish Bennett
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain – Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson
Vice-Captain – Virat Kohli, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Jasprit Bumrah
Suggested Playing XI No.1
Keeper – Rishabh Pant (Wk)
Batters –Martin Guptill, Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Ross Taylor
All-Rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Colin de Grandhomme (VC)
Bowlers – Tim Southee, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav
Suggested Playing XI No.2
Keeper – Tim Siefert (Wk)
Batters – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (VC), Kane Williamson (C), Shreyas Iyer, Ross Taylor
All-Rounders – Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme
Bowlers – Scott Kuggeleijn, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Fantasy Cricket Tips: Expert Advice: Eden Park at Auckland allows easy hitting for the batsman as they tend to exploit the short straight boundaries. Spinners also have a major say as the ball grips into the surface. It is advisable to form a Fantasy XI keeping in mind this general characteristic of this ground.
Probable Winners:
It is highly unlikely to predict the winners for the first T2oI. Both the teams are evenly matched. India might have better personnel but the Kiwis possess an edge just because of their home conditions.
Match Details:
The first T20I between New Zealand and India will be played on January 24 at Eden Park in Auckland. The match telecast begins at 7:50 local time (12;20 PM IST / 6:50 PM GMT). The broadcast will run on the Star Sports network.
