IND vs NZ T20I Series 2023: India's predicted XI against New Zealand for 3rd T20I

After struggling with the bat for the majority part of the time, the Indian team finally emerged victorious in the second T20I of the series in Lucknow. The bowlers put up a magnificent show but it is the batters that need to get better and improve significantly to seal the fate of the T20I series.

In Ahmedabad, the pitch is expected to be a much better one and the batters are likely to get some advantage. Thus, the Hardik Pandya-led side should prepare well in order to put a good total on board. From the bowler's point of view, the match is going to be a tricky one as the pitch is not going to favour them as it happened in Lucknow. 

So, is there any need for the Men in Blue to change their squad and try something new in the match or should back the same squad which struggled in both matches of the series? 

Here’s India’s predicted XI for the 3rd T20I against New Zealand:

Openers – Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw

India’s star in the U19 World Cup 2018 is likely to reunite and open for the first time in international cricket. Both Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill have proved themselves in the shortest format of the game but the latter’s form is currently a matter of concern. The 23-year-old has scored only 18 runs from two matches so far and thus, he needs to improve massively.

Shaw, on the other hand, is in tremendous form and played some phenomenal cricket in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. If he manages to continue to play in the same destructive manner, the Mumbai-born cricketer can cement his position as a dependable opener for India in T20I cricket. 

Middle order - Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav

Stumper-batter Ishan Kishan has not done much so far and is very likely to get a demotion and play at number three in the next match. He needs to prove himself in the third and final match of the series, otherwise, there is a massive probability that the Bihar-born cricketer might get dropped from the playing XI. 

The flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav has once again proved to be the game-changer for India in T20I cricket. When the Men in Blue were under tremendous pressure in the second T20I, Yadav rose to the occasion and played a scintillating knock to rescue the team. He currently is the leading run-scorer of the series and would hope to perform in a similar fashion to help India win another bilateral series.

All-rounders - Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya (C), Washington Sundar

After a long wait, Deepak Hooda was finally given an opportunity to prove himself with the ball and the Rohhtak-born cricketer was phenomenal, to say the least. In his four overs, the all-rounder gave away only 17 runs and picked up one wicket in the process. However, it is his batting that is the main strength and that has not worked well for the cricketer as he has only scored 10 runs in the first two matches of the series.

Skipper Hardik Pandya is still undefeated as he is yet to lose a series as India's captain. Thus, he would give his all to keep the streak alive. But when it comes to his game, there are certain things that the 29-year-old needs to work on. He is leaking runs with the ball and has not been consistent enough with the bat.

Washington Sundar was India’s best cricketer in the first T20I and was decent in the second one as well. The 23-year-old is currently the fourth-leading run-scorer in the series and with the ball, he has been extremely economical. Thus, he is definitely going to play a massive role in the third T20I in Ahmedabad.

Bowlers - Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh

Youngster Shivam Mavi was trusted with only one over in the previous match but he is likely to play an important role in the third T20I as the conditions will be good for the pacers. However, he needs to sort his line and length immediately as the Kiwi batters have done well against Mavi so far.

Spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav once again had a terrific match as he gave away only 17 runs from four overs in the previous match. His partner-in-crime Yuzvendra Chahal, however, can’t say the same as despite bowling well, he was not trusted for more than two overs. Both players have the capability of being game-changers and would be expected to play an important role in the third T20I.

After a terrible outing in the first T20I, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh returned to his very best, giving away just seven runs in his two overs and picking two wickets. If he manages to play similarly, it is going to be tough for the Kiwi batters.

India's probable XI against New Zealand for 3rd T20I - Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS App Store and Google Play Store