India Predicted XI vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: Will Samson open and Kishan bat at No.3?

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T20I Reset Begins

India look to regroup after losing their first home ODI series to New Zealand. The five-match T20I series starts Jan 21 in Nagpur before the T20 World Cup.

Samson to Open

Sanju Samson is likely to open with Abhishek Sharma. Samson opened vs South Africa and scored 37, and management may continue with that combination.

No.3 Dilemma

The No.3 spot could go to Ishan Kishan or Shreyas Iyer, but with Kishan in the T20 World Cup squad, he might get first preference in the opening T20I.

Hardik Returns

Hardik Pandya returns from injury while Shivam Dube keeps his place. With two pace-all-rounders, India gain better balance with bat and ball in T20Is.

Varun vs Kuldeep

Varun Chakravarthy may edge out Kuldeep Yadav for Game 1 based on recent form and how New Zealand attacked Kuldeep during the ODI series at home.

Predicted India XI

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.

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