India Playing XI vs NZ: Harshal Patel gets the nod in place of Washington Sundar, no place for Sanju Samson, & Umran Malik for the series decider, Follow IND vs NZ

India Playing XI vs NZ – IND vs NZ 3rd T20: NZ opts to bat: Harshal Patel gets the nod in place of off-spinner Washington Sundar for the series decider against New Zealand. Sanju Samson has again been snubbed as the management persists with Rishab Pant. Umran Malik continues to miss out, as the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been preferred. New Zealand have elected to bat first after winning the toss. Follow IND vs NZ LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee(c), Lockie Ferguson

Rishabh Pant is enduring a terrible form in T20s. But the team management should also take the blame for his less-than-average show. He lacked role clarity. However, VVS Laxman and Hardik Pandya have reiterated that the NZ series is all about role clarity. As a result, Pant has received a promotion to the opening slot instead of No 5 or 6.

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India Playing XI vs NZ: Rishabh Pant set to retain opening slot, no place for Sanju Samson, Umran Malik likely for series decider, Follow IND vs NZ 3rd T20 LIVE

As Rohit Sharna, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli all three will miss the home series against SriLanka, Pant is set to get an extended run at the top. But as for his competitor Sanju Samson, he will have to wait for his chance.

India Playing XI vs NZ: Will Team India make any changes for Napier T20?

Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant are set to continue as openers.
Although Ishan did decently in 2nd T20, Pant once again had a disappointing game.
Pant managed 6 off 13 balls, opening the innings.
However, as the team management wants to ready a replacement for KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, Pant will retain his spot.
Suryakumar Yadav has been a revelation at any spot he has played in.
With 2nd T20I century batting at No 3, Suryakymar is set to continue at that spot until Virat Kohli is out of the team.
At No 4, Shreyas Iyer will get an extended run to succeed.
Although Shreyas started well in 2nd T20, he could not capitalise on that.
But team management will retain him for the 3rd T20.
As for Sanju Samson, with Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer getting the backing, there is no place for the Kerala star.
Deepak Hooda has also earned new lease of life at No 6 after his exploits with the ball.
However, it is Umran Malik who is set to dominate discussions.
There is nothing to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar anymore. The series like NZ should have been platforms for youngsters.
However, a call on Umran will be taken only on the matchday.

As for other positions, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will continue. Yuzvendra Chahal after a brilliant spell on Sunday will retain his spot. He will extend Kuldeep Yadav’s time on the bench.

But all eyes will be on Washington Sundar who had a lukewarm return. Although he bagged two wickets, he conceded 24 runs in his 2 overs. However, as he is set to be a long-term replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin in T20s, he will retain his place and get the backing.

India Playing XI vs NZ 3rd T20 (Predicted):

Ishan Kishan
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Suryakumar Yadav
Shreyas Iyer
Deepak Hooda
Hardik Pandya (C)
Washington Sundar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar/ Umran Malik
Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Siraj
Yuzvendra Chahal

Captain Hardik Pandya indicated that India may retain their winning combination. But he is open to changes depending on the conditions in Napier.

“I don’t know about changes for the next game yet. I’d like to give everyone in the squad a chance but it’s just one more game, so it’s a bit tough. We will see the conditions in Napier and take a call,” Hardik Pandya said after 2nd T20.

India Squad NZ T20 Series: Hardik Pandya (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC and WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik

India Playing XI vs NZ: Rishabh Pant set to retain opening slot, no place for Sanju Samson, Umran Malik likely for series decider, Follow IND vs NZ 3rd T20 LIVE

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