India’s strongest playing XI for the first T20I match vs New Zealand
After losing the ODI series against New Zealand, the focus has shifted to the shortest format: the five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand, ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The first match of the five-match T20I series will be played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday (January 21).
Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the side. With veteran players Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel returning, India’s T20 side is one of the toughest teams to beat. But India has added a few new names to the squad due to the injuries of Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar.
India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), and Ravi Bishnoi.
Ahead of the first T20I match at Nagpur, let’s take a look at India’s strongest playing XI vs New Zealand.
India’s top-order and middle-order
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the team’s fixed openers. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who is trying to get in form, will bat at No. 3. If he finds his form, then his 360-degree shot-making ability can shift momentum instantly, especially in the middle overs.
With Tilak missing for the first three matches, Shreyas Iyer will automatically fill his position at NO. 4. His experience and presence also allow India to maintain an aggressive approach against New Zealand’s spin-heavy plans.
Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will bat at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Both will play a crucial all-round role. As proven match-winners, Pandya and Axar’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives India flexibility in team combinations.
With the addition of Rinku Singh to the side ahead of the World Cup. It’s likely that team management will go with Rinku. He is a reliable finisher in the shortest format of the game.
Shivam Dube, who is known for his hard-hitting ability and team management, has used him as a slogger who can bat at any position from 5 to 8.
India’s lower order
As India is playing at their home, they will go with three-spin bowling options. Axar as a spin all-rounder. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are the second and third premier spin bowlers, who are known for their wicket-taking abilities.
There’s no doubt that India’s pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, whose death-over expertise remains unmatched. Hardik and Dube are the second and third fast bowling options in the side.
India’s likely playing XI for the first T20 against NZ:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy
The second T20I match of the series will be played on January 23 at Raipur.
