Another competitive series awaits India after the Australian ODIs. There are very few teams in the world that could challenge India in the one day internationals and Tests. But T20 is one format where any team can beat any team on a given day
Here we look at 3 key battles to watch out for in 1st T20I between India and New Zealand which might also help to pick the fantasy team based on the match ups.
Colin Munro vs Jasprit Bumrah
It will be a battle between the No:1 limited overs bowler Bumrah and the No: 4 ranked T20I batsman Munro. The southpaw is a dangerous customer and can fetch big points for the fantasy players if he gets going in the first 6 overs. He can also play the waiting game and can very well anchor the innings. Do not miss out Munro while picking your fantasy team. He is one of the top ranked T20I batsman for a reason. If anyone in the world can tie Munro in the first six overs then it can be Jasprit Bumrah. The pace and angle of Bumrah will be very tough for Munro. Bumrah also bowls in the death overs so chances of him getting handful of wickets is high. Drop Bumrah from your fantasy team at your own risk. A epic battle is on the cards for sure.
Colin de Grandhomme vs Kuldeep Yadav
The Zimbabwean Colin de Grandhomme is the designated No:4 batsman for the Kiwis in the T20Is for some time now. His batting prowess has even pushed the likes of Ross Taylor down the order. He can fetch some valuable points if he is in your fantasy team. He can also roll his arm over if needed and will be a huge bonus if he gets a wicket or two. He is a must in the fantasy teams. The chinaman from India Kuldeep Yadav is one bowler who could trouble de Grandhomme in the middle overs. His variations will be key and he can bamboozle the batsmen with his tossed up deliveries which are slower in nature. He can turn the game within an over by picking multiple wickets thereby fetching huge points for the fantasy players. This battle might decide the fate of the teams in the middle overs.
KL Rahul vs Tim Southee
The New Zealand vice captain Tim Southee might have lost a yard of pace but his control with the new ball is pretty much intact. His stump to stump bowling with the new ball and the odd ball swinging away from the batsman will make him a tough customer to hit with the new ball, which might force the Indian openers to take chances against him thereby losing their wickets. Tim Southee can be a vital cog in your fantasy team. The in-form KL Rahul should vary of Tim Southee’s new ball control and wicket-taking ability. The skipper Kane Williamson will be banking on his experienced bowler Tim Southee to give a breakthrough or two with the new ball and it will be one intriguing battle between KL Rahul and Tim Southee.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson(C), Hamish Bennett, Tom Bruce(matches 4-5), Colin de Grandhomme (matches 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggelijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickener, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert(Wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
Auckland will host the 1st T20I starting on Friday