India eye T20I series win in NZ, Pant a spot in WC squad

Wellington, February 5 

They have hit the homestretch of a memorable three-month tour and a rampant India will be fancying another series win when they clash with hosts New Zealand in the three-match T20I series, beginning here tomorrow. With regular skipper Virat Kohli given a break, the Rohit Sharma-led squad will be hoping it has enough left in the tank to record a maiden T20 series win in New Zealand, following a record 4-1 result in the preceding ODIs. “We too are humans and our bodies need a bit of rest. Of course, we would be looking to the win the series and carry the momentum back home for the Australia series,” opener Shikhar Dhawan said on the eve of the first game.

All eyes on Pant

There are still a few spots up for grabs for the World Cup squad and the T20 series could help the team management zero in on the final 15 for the mega event in England in May-July.  Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was not part of the ODIs, has a big opportunity to stake a claim for a World Cup spot in the upcoming T20s. Veteran MS Dhoni is back in the T20 mix after being omitted from the series against Australia last year, and his performance will also be keenly followed. 

Following his fine performance in the Test series Down Under, the selectors might include Pant in the final 15 if he impresses here as well. 

The series is also an opportunity for Dinesh Karthik, who has done well as a finisher but is still not a certain starter in the eleven. Ambati Rayudu grabbed his chance with a match-winning 90 in the fifth ODI, probably enough to seal a place in the middle-order. Upcoming Shubman Gill failed to impress in the ODIs but he might get to bat at No. 3 in the T20Is as well.

Besides Pant, spin all-rounder Krunal Pandya and Punjab pacer Siddharth Kaul have joined the team.  — PTI

Seeking first T20I win in NZ

It’s New Zealand 2, India 0 in T20Is in that country

Game 1 Feb 25, 2009: India 162/8 in 20 overs (Suresh Raina 61, Virender Sehwag 26, Harbhajan Singh 21, Yusuf Pathan 20) lost by 7 wickets to New Zealand 166/3 in 18.5 overs (Brendon McCullum 56, Martin Guptill 41)

Game 2 Feb 27, 2009: India 149/6 in 20 overs (Yuvraj Singh 50, MS Dhoni 28*, Virender Sehwag 24) lost by 5 wickets to New Zealand 150/5 in 20 overs (Brendon McCullum 69*, Ross Taylor 27, Jesse Ryder 26)