NZ vs IND T20I series: 3 player battles to watch out for

2. Finn Allen vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Finn Allen is set to open the batting for New Zealand alongside Tim Seifert. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in India's 16-member T20I squad, marking a notable return to the side after a prolonged period away from the format.

Kumar's skill with the new ball, particularly his ability to swing it and hit the top of off stump in the powerplay, sets up a compelling contest against the aggressive Allen at the top of the order. If Kumar can keep Allen quiet in the early overs, India could gain a significant advantage in the powerplay phase across the series.