IND vs NZ: Prithvi Shaw to play India vs New Zealand 1st T20I? Hardik Pandya gives India Playing 11 Update

Prithvi Shaw IND vs NZ: It is now time to shift the entire focus towards the shortest format of the game as India is set to face New Zealand in the first of the three-match T20I series on 27 January, 2023 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The Men in Blue registered a brilliant 2-1 series victory during their last T20I assignment at home against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

IND vs NZ: Prithvi Shaw to play India vs New Zealand 1st T20I?

India’s captain, Hardik Pandya, announced that Shubman Gill will open the innings with Ishan Kishan in the first T20I match against New Zealand, despite Prithvi Shaw’s recent success in domestic cricket. Pandya stated that Gill, who has been in outstanding form in ODIs with three hundreds, including a double ton, in his last four innings, will be given the opportunity to start. Gill has only played in three T20Is so far, scoring 58 runs with a strike rate of 131.81.

Pandya also mentioned that Shaw will have to wait for his opportunity as Gill has done very well and is currently in a good form. Despite Shaw’s known attacking approach and being a compelling option for India, Gill will be given the chance to showcase his skills at the start of the series. The decision was made by the team management keeping in mind the current form and performance of both the players.

“Shubman has done exceptionally well. So there is no talk about the opportunity, Shubman will start because of the way he is batting and was already there in the team (for Sri Lanka T20Is),” said Indian T20I captain Hardik Pandya during the pre-match press conference.

India Playing 11

1. Ishan Kishan (wk)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Rahul Tripathi
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Hardik Pandya (C)
6. Deepak Hooda
7. Washington Sundar
8. Shivam Mavi
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Umran Malik
11. Yuzvendra Chahal

India vs New Zealand 2023 Schedule