New Delhi: Defending champions India will treat the upcoming five-match T20 International series against New Zealand as their final dress rehearsal ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin next month on home soil. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India will look to start the series on a winning note when they face New Zealand in the opening match at Nagpur.
After losing the recent three-match ODI series 1–2 to New Zealand, pressure has mounted on head coach Gautam Gambhir to deliver results in the shortest format. Despite a dip in recent form, Suryakumar remains one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket and boasts an impressive record as India’s captain in the format.
India are expected to field a markedly different T20 side compared to the ODI lineup. With a strong mix of explosive batting and a varied pace-spin bowling attack, the hosts aim to fine-tune combinations before the World Cup. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will play key roles, while young stars Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are likely to open the innings.
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, will rely heavily on batters Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway. With both teams testing depth and strategy, the series promises to be a high-intensity contest and a crucial benchmark for India’s World Cup ambitions.
