India’s T20 World Cup prep enters home stretch: New Zealand series offers final chance to test and tweak formations

NAGPUR: Over the last two years, India in T20Is have been an irresistible force. Powered by a batting unit packed with big-hitters and attacking stroke-makers, a balanced bowling attack with full of variety, the reigning World T20 champions have won 72% of the matches in this period.

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With their playing XI sorted for the T20 World Cup, a bilateral series barely three weeks ahead of the marquee event should ideally have been all about last-minute fine-tuning for India.




The Kiwis, though, with their recent exploits, have forced India to approach the five-match series, beginning in Nagpur from Wednesday, as more than just a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup. Just 447 kms away, on Sunday, New Zealand won their first ODI series in India in Indore. A couple of years ago, the Kiwis broke India’s 12-year invincible home record in Tests with a 3-0 clean sweep.

Up against their nemesis of sorts, India are led by a man desperately trying to rediscover his form. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, India perfected the art of winning T20Is. The captain, though, has been plagued by diminishing returns when it comes to consistency. In the last 22 T20Is, Suryakumar has averaged just 12.84 without a fifty to his name.

It’s to his credit that his poor form has not affected his decision making and captaincy. But can that continue when more pressing engagements lie ahead in a high pressure environment like a home World Cup? It’s a situation Indian fans dread. The Indian camp would be hoping that the marauding Suryakumar of the past turns up at the Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday and for the rest of the series.

Apart from the skipper’s form, India do not have too many other issues in the batting department.

They would have loved to have the reassuring sight of Tilak Varma walk in at no.3 though. Sadly, the left-hander is recuperating after abdominal surgery. With Shubman Gill out of the T20I scheme of things, Sanju Samson is assured of his preferred opening slot along with Abhishek Sharma. Samson has a terrific record as a T20I opener — three centuries in 18 innings, a strike rate of 178, and a 32-plus average.

On the eve of the match, Suryakumar announced that Ishan Kishan will be India’s No 3 batter on Wednesday. While the skipper and Hardik Pandya complete the batting line-up, the remaining lone slot is expected to be a toss-up between Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah will be making a comeback along with Varun Chakravarthy.

Having won their first Test and ODI series in India recently, New Zealand will be looking for an encore in the T20 format too. With the likes of skipper Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy in their ranks, New Zealand have the firepower to spring a surprise.

Kiwi coach Rob Walter said that Michael Bracewell’s participation in the series depends on his recovery from an injury. Pacer Kristian Clarke was added as a backup for the first three T20Is.

While chasing is the ‘in thing’ in T20s, the past few games at Jamtha Stadium indicate it is not a wise decision. Of the last four matches in Nagpur, teams that have opted to chase have lost thrice. The only exception was the eight-over shootout, which India won by six wickets against Australia in 2022.


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