India vs New Zealand 4th T20I Playing 11: With the series already in the bag at 3-0, India enter the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam with the luxury of “happy headaches.” While the series is won, the search for the perfect T20 World Cup template continues.
The spotlight remains fixed on Sanju Samson. Despite India’s dominance, Samson’s scores of 10, 6 and 0 have been the only blemish on a clinical batting performance. With Ishan Kishan breathing down his neck and the series secured, the team management faces a dilemma: give Samson one last chance to find his rhythm or hand the gloves to Kishan to test the bench strength.
The bowling department is also set for a refresh. Jasprit Bumrah, having spearheaded the attack across three games, is likely to be rested. This opens the door for Harshit Rana to showcase his pace and bounce on a Vizag track that traditionally favors stroke-makers but offers some grip under lights. Axar Patel, now fully fit after a minor hand injury, is expected to swap places with Hardik Pandya, allowing the vice-captain some much-needed recovery time.
India predicted XI
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
For New Zealand, the tour has turned into a survival exercise. Mitchell Santner’s side has been outclassed in every department, but the arrival of Finn Allen from the Big Bash League could provide the aggressive spark they’ve lacked at the top.
The Kiwis are expected to reshuffle their middle order to stop the collapses triggered by India’s spinners. Daryl Mitchell is likely to be promoted to No. 3, pushing the struggling Rachin Ravindra lower down the order. On the bowling front, Kyle Jamieson might return to the side to exploit any early moisture in the air, potentially replacing Lockie Ferguson, who has struggled with his lines in the humidity of the Indian coast.
New Zealand predicted XI
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
IND vs NZ T20I Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravi Bishnoi.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi.