New Zealand A vs India A, 2020: 1st Unofficial Test – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details

The 1st of the two four-day matches between New Zealand A and India A will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The match starts at 10:00 AM local time (3:30 AM IST) (10:00 PM GMT – Previous Day). There is no live telecast of this match.

Match Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

The caravan of India A tour of New Zealand moves to the four-day games and the first fixture of the two-match series will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday. After having won the first One-day fixture so comprehensively, India A had to endure the ignominy of two back-to-back nerve-jangling defeats and the Hanuma Vihari-led unit will be looking to shrug it off with a commanding performance in the first four-day fixture.

India A boasts of a star-studded squad with as many as five top-quality top-order batsmen in Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Priyank Panchal, and Shubman Gill. With this series serving as a breeding ground for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, Mayank Agarwal would be hoping to make the most of the opportunity and try to get acclimatized to the conditions while the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill- both vying for the third openers spot- will be looking to push forward their credentials with a commanding performance.

That means one of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Priyank Panchal may play in the middle-order, which is set to be spearheaded by another Indian international in Hanuma Vihari, who will also be looking to use this game as an opportunity to adjust to the conditions. It will be interesting to see whether India opts to play four pacers or do they go for two spinners in Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar. 

The Kiwis have also named a strong 12-man squad for the two-match series. The likes of Hamish Rutherford, Sean Solia, Glenn Phillips will lead the batting unit while Will Young and Mark Chapman will serve as all-rounders. Jacob Duffey, Michael Rae, and Ajaz Patel will spearhead the bowling unit. 

Weather Report

The weather for the next four days in Christchurch is ideal for cricket. According to the weather report, the Hagley Oval is set to be bathed in sunshine for the majority of the first two days with temperatures ranging between 13 and 28 degrees celsius, and while the last two days are set to be a bit overcast, the chances of rain are minimal.

Pitch Condition/Report

The pitch at the Hagley Oval has usually offered a great balance between bat and ball. The track offers good pace and carries and has in the past garnered praise from the likes of Brendon McCullum and Angelo Mathews for its competitive nature. The average score in six Tests played at the venue is 286. It will be interesting to see what the captains opt for when they win the toss on Thursday.

Average first innings score: 286 (in the 6 Tests completed played at the venue)

Injury and Availability News:

Shivam Dube is the part of the squad for this match and at the same time, he is part of the Indian team in the ongoing T20I series as well. It is not clear whether Dube will be part of this match.

Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand A

Sean Solia, Glenn Phillips, Hamish Rutherford [C], Dane Cleaver [WK], Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Cole McConchie, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel, Michael Rae

Bench – Ed Nuttall

India A

Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Priyank Panchal, Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari [C], Srikar Bharat (WK), Shahbaz Nadeem/Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Sandeep Warrier/Avesh Khan, Ishan Porel.

Bench – Ishan Kishan, Sandeep Warrier/Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem/Rahul Chahar

Top Picks:

New Zealand A- The trio of Hamish Rutherford, Sean Solia, Glenn Phillips will once again be the key to New Zealand’s fortunes with the bat while Ajaz Patel, Jacob Duffey, and Michael Rae, who claimed a three-wicket-haul in his last First-Clas fixture will be the key.

India A- As far as India A is concerned, once again the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill and skipper Hanuma Vihari will spearhead the batting while Mohammad Siraj and Ishan Porel, who had a good outing in the One-dayers will be the ones to watch out for.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options – Mayank Agarwal, Hamish Rutherford, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill

Vice-Captain Options – Glenn Phillips, Cole McConchie, Mohammad Siraj, Hanuma Vihari

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper- KS Bharat

Batsmen- Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal (C), Shubman Gill, Hamish Rutherford (VC), Will Young

All-Rounders – Hanuma Vihari, Cole McConchie

Bowlers – Mohammad Siraj, Shahbaz Nadeem, Michael Rae

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper- KS Bharat

Batsmen- Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill (C), Hamish Rutherford, Will Young (VC)

All-Rounders – Hanuma Vihari, Cole McConchie, Rachin Ravindra

Bowlers – Ishan Porel, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae

Expert Advice:

India A has got a brilliant top-order in the form of Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill. Picking them as captain/vice-captain of your Dream11 Fantasy team will be worth a punt.

Probable Winners:

India A is predicted to win this game.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.