India will face New Zealand for the first match of the 3-match T20I series, on 1st November 2017 at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi. It will be a packed house as it will be the last international match of India’s veteran fast bowler Ashish Nehra.
There is a huge excitement around the game because Nehra has always been a crowd favourite and he will get a fitting farewell at his home ground. It is like a dream come true for Nehra because to play your last game for country at the place where it all started is one of the best feelings for any sportsperson.
Ashish Nehra has played cricket for India over 20 years and established a special for himself in the hearts of millions of Indian cricket fans in India and across the world.
Indian cricket team would want to win it and gave a perfect farewell to Ashish Nehra. Here, we look at the likely playing XI of Indian cricket team.
Openers
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan and Rohit are India’s in-form openers and they would be hoping to start the innings in an aggressive way and put India in a strong position right at the start of the innings. It is unlikely that India all tinker with their opening combination.
Number 3, 4, 5 and 6
Indian captain is the best number 3 batsman in the world, in limited overs cricket. Dinesh Karthik will bat 4, Dhoni at 5 and Hardik Pandya at 6. Dhoni, Karthik and Pandya can change positions considering the situation of the match. Kohli and Ravi Shastri like using Hardik Pandya as a floater who can move up and down in the batting order.
Spinners
Axar Patel has impressed one and all with his left arm orthodox spin bowling. Many believe that his performances have put pressure on Ravindra Jadeja because they are very similar types of spinners. The other spinner in the playing XI will be Yuzvendra Chahal. Feroz Kotla has always been a good hunting ground for spinners and Kohli will use Chahal as an attacking option in the middle overs.
Fast bowlers
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra will take care of the fast bowling department. Bhuvi and Bumrah are two of the best fast bowlers in the world. And, the good old Nehra Ji will play his international cricket match for India.
