India is all set to take on New Zealand in the first T20I tomorrow. Hardik Pandya will lead the Indian team. Whereas Rishabh will be the vice-captain of the team. This is how India's playing XI may look in the first T20I.
Openers (Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill)
There has been constant talk of Rishabh being groomed as an opener for the future as well. In such a situation, Rishabh can land as an opener in this series. Rishabh is a left-handed batsman which makes his presence in the top three all the more important.
Right now KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are not available, in such a situation Rishabh can be used. Shubman Gill will be seen starting the innings with him. Gill has already proved himself as an opening batsman in ODIs only a few months back and expect the same from him in T20Is as well.
Middle order (Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson)
Deepak Hooda has batted well at number three in the past as well. In such a situation, he can be used in Virat's absence. Also, he can be useful as a bowling option.
Suryakumar Yadav had a stellar performance in the World Cup and will be the backbone of the entire middle order. And at number five, captain Hardik Pandya, who is currently in the form of his life, will be seen batting. Sanju Samson who is another wicketkeeper-batsman can be used as number 6.
Fast bowlers (Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar)
Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar got India off to a good start in most of the matches in the World Cup. Hopefully, his form will continue here as well. On the other hand, Harshal did not get a single chance, he has the best chance to prove himself.
Spin bowlers (Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal)
Washington bowls well as well as bats well, so he is more likely to get a place in the playing XI instead of Kuldeep. He has 25 wickets in 31 T20Is. At the same time, Yuzvendra Chahal also did not get a place in the playing XI in the T20I World Cup. Now his performance here will be worth watching.
