T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand Predicted XI against India

Both New Zealand and India suffered defeats against Pakistan and this is a make-or-break game for them.

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New Zealand cricket team
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New Zealand cricket team. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

New Zealand didn’t have the best of starts to their campaign for the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE. They lost a closely-fought game against Pakistan in Sharjah, which in some books can be considered their third loss on the trot in the UAE. Before entering the tournament, they also lost the two warm-up matches against Australia and England.

Now, they have a stiffer challenge ahead of them against India, who are wounded and in the sheds since their 10-wicket loss against Pakistan. The match will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on October 31 and the Blackcaps will hope for a good start to it.

Here is the predicted XI of New Zealand against India:

1. Openers (Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell)

This Blackcaps unit has a bunch of players who have experience of batting at the top of the order. As a matter of fact, their entire middle order has done it at least on more than one occasion in their career. However, despite that, it seems that they are keener on trying Daryl Mitchell in that role with the experienced Guptill.

The signs were seen in one of the warm-up matches and they continued the strategy against Pakistan. The decision wasn’t a failure as both the players got off to starts. Most of the batters struggle on this surface, which makes the contribution of 17 and 27 from Guptill and Mitchell respectively look a little better in hindsight.

2. Middle-order (Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips)

Devon Conway
Devon Conway. (Photo Souce: Getty Images)

Kane Williamson scored 25 runs from 26 balls in the previous match and when his side needed a bit of a push-on, his wicket created some issues for them. He would be looking to get better results in this game. Conway, too, lost his wicket for 27 runs at a crucial stage in the innings. This will be his first T20I against India, so he might face some new challenges.

Glenn Phillips batted at no. 6 in the previous match, which was slightly lower than what he would have liked. However, given his ability to hit the ball firmly and score quick runs, he might just enjoy his time in the middle. Tim Seifert has also been given a similar sort of role, to bat deep in the innings and has some experience of doing that in the recent season of CPL.

3. All-rounders (James Neesham and Mitchell Santner)

James Neesham
Jimmy Neesham. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

James Neesham could only bowl three overs in the previous match, but he will be tasked to deliver four overs in this game. He conceded only 18 runs in those three overs. It should also be noted that he was sent in at no. 4 but managed only a run. On the other hand, Santner didn’t have a great game with the ball towards the end. He still managed to end with figures of 1 for 33 in his four overs and six runs with the bat.

4. Bowlers (Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, and Tim Southee)

New Zealand bowler Ish Sodhi. (Photo ANESH DEBIKY/AFP/Getty Images)

Ish Sodhi has to be one of the more prized bowlers for New Zealand in this tournament, given his ability to get something from the surface where the ball grips and turns a bit. He ended with two wickets in the previous match and gave only 28 runs in his four overs. New Zealand will hope for something similar from him once again.

The absence of Lockie Ferguson will hurt New Zealand, but they do have a capable replacement in Tim Southee. In the previous game, he ended with 1 for 25 in four overs. Adam Milne is there in the squad now, but he can also get a game, given how coach Gary Stead said that the team wasn’t happy that Milne was not allowed to play by the ICC in the last game. Trent Boult will be a major threat with his left-arm inswingers. He bowled a good spell of 1 for 29 against Pakistan.

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