4th T20I: All Eyes On Kuldeep Yadav As India Aim To Make It 4-0 vs New Zealand

With the series already sealed, India will have the opportunity to give much-needed game time to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy when they take on New Zealand in the fourth and penultimate T20I on Friday. Both spinners have featured only sporadically over the past couple of months, with the team management opting for a batting-heavy line-up that extends to No. 8. Given the high-scoring nature of the contests so far, the strategy has worked well for the visitors, who hold an unassailable 3-0 lead. However, with little at stake in the remaining two matches, India could be tempted to experiment with their combination.

While Chakaravarthy has battled inconsistent form over the past six months, Kuldeep has repeatedly underlined his value by striking in the middle overs.

The left-arm wrist-spinner played two matches in the home series against the West Indies but has not featured in the first three games against New Zealand. Keeping him on the sidelines for longer may not aid his confidence, though accommodating him would likely require India to shorten their batting line-up.

The two spin-bowling all-rounders who played in the third T20I, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir, did not even get an opportunity to bowl.

Axar, who owns a career economy rate of 7.70 in 115 T20Is, has conceded 9.58 runs per over in the series so far, with only two wickets to his name.

In the pace department, veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar showed glimpses of his best in the death overs of the previous match in Wellington, consistently landing yorkers in his final over.

However, he has been expensive overall, conceding 139 runs from 72 deliveries across the first three games. Playing his first international series in four years, Bhuvneshwar will be eager to improve those numbers.

Prince Yadav was preferred ahead of Mayank Yadav in the last two matches. It remains to be seen whether Mayank returns for game time or if the team management continues with the impressive Prince.

There is still no clarity over the availability of Ishan Kishan, who missed the previous two matches due to a groin injury. If he remains unavailable, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to get another opportunity to showcase his explosive hitting ability.

The teenager was at his destructive best in Wellington but was overshadowed by a remarkable innings from Abhishek Sharma.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has been preferred ahead of Shivam Dube, but with the series already won, India may choose to rest the all-rounder.

For New Zealand, the biggest challenge has been containing India's top order. Sanju Samson, Abhishek and Sooryavanshi have all produced explosive innings that have put immense pressure on the home bowlers.

India's batting firepower is arguably unmatched at present and was on full display in Wellington, where the visitors smashed a record 118 runs in the powerplay.

Captain Mitchell Santner has been outstanding with his left-arm spin but has received limited support from the rest of New Zealand's attack.

India's left-handers were also able to dominate off-spinner Michael Bracewell in Wellington after struggling against him in the first two games, adding to New Zealand's concerns.

For starters, Santner will be hoping to win the toss for the first time in the series. Given the conditions, bowling first has proved to be the preferred option.

After Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson has also been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a calf injury, forcing New Zealand to rethink their bowling plans.

Squads

India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Naman Dhir, Tilak Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Yadav, Kumar Kushagra, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Josh Clarkson.

Match Starts: 12:30 PM IST

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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