India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, Predicted XI: Tough Calls Await Gautam Gambhir Beyond Sooryavanshi

India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Tough selection calls await Gambhir and Iyer© BCCI/Creimas

As the Indian cricket team begins its New Zealand tour, the T20I series opener in Christchurch is set to put the spotlight on the management's plans for the format. While skipper Shreyas Iyer has already made it clear that there is no spot for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the moment, a few more selection headaches remain for him and head coach Gautam Gambhir to resolve before the toss on Thursday. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the playing XI also makes this series special.

At the top, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are set to open for India, as confirmed by Iyer in Wednesday's press conference, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi warming the bench yet again. Ishan Kishan is set to continue at number three, followed by the skipper himself. Tilak Varma, who has played multiple roles for the Indian team over the past year or so, is set to take on the finisher's job once more.

Naman Dhir, who was the find of the series for India against the West Indies, is expected to continue at number six, though the option of adding Shivam Dube to the roser also remains, followed by the all-round duo of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh are the two strongest contenders in the pace-bowling unit, but it will be interesting to see if India pick another spinner or pacer as the final member of the XI.

The fit-again Varun Chakaravarthy is raring to go, but he faces tough competition from Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav for that role. Given that New Zealand pitches tend to offer extra pace and bounce, the management might opt for an extra pacer, though it remains a tough call for coach Gambhir and skipper Iyer, ahead of the series opener.

India's likely playing XI for the 1st T20I vs New Zealand: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav/Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.

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