India Tour of New Zealand 2019: India's predicted playing XI for the 2nd T20I

In what could be called the biggest shock of India's tour of New Zealand, the Indian Cricket team was thumped to an 80 run defeat by New Zealand in the first T20I at Wellington. Winning the toss was the only thing which went right for India's stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma as he elected to bowl first.

Things didn't go well for the visitors right from the start as New Zealand's openers Colin Munro and Tim Seifert played with attacking intent. The Black Caps rode on Seifert's splendid knock of 84 and Scott Kuggelejin's timely cameo of 20 runs from mere 7 balls to post a mammoth total of 219.

Chasing a daunting total of 220, Rohit Sharma got out cheaply for a solitary run. Though India's chase was steadied by Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar, India never really managed to keep the scoreboard ticking. The middle-order batsmen failed miserably as they got out in quick succession as the side was eventually bowled out for a meager 139 runs in 19.2 overs.

With the next T20I against New Zealand at Auckland being a must-win match for the Indian team, it is expected that the team will make quite a few changes in order to get back to winning ways. Here, we take a look at India's predicted playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand.

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Openers

Rohit Sharma

The skipper needs to find his scoring touch to give his team a platform

India's stand-in skipper, Rohit Sharma hasn't managed to get going since the 4th ODI against New Zealand and has scored only 10 runs from his last 3 innings. However, being the skipper and considering his form over the last 12 months in the limited overs format, he will definitely be a part of the playing XI.

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan needs to convert his starts into bigger knocks

Shikhar Dhawan played a decent knock of 29 runs in the first T20I against New Zealand. However, if there is one thing he needs to rectify, it is his failure to convert starts into big knocks. If Dhawan manages to stay at the crease for a longer time, he will surely set the tone for a great total. Given his record in the ICC tournaments, team management will look to give him as many matches as possible before the World Cup, thus, Dhawan will definitely be a part of the XI in the next match.

Middle Order

Dinesh Karthik

New Zealand v India - ODI Game 3

Dinesh Karthik couldn't make much of an impact in the first T20I as he made only 5 runs from 6 balls and dropped a lot of sitters in the field. He will have to put his level best and help India deliver the goods in the second T20I.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

2019 has started on a positive note for MSD

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's most seasoned campaigner of the lot was simply the pick of the Indian batsmen. His crucial knock of 39 runs went in vain as he ran out of partners towards the final overs of the game. Dhoni will look to continue his fine touch with the bat.

Vijay Shankar

New Zealand v India - International T20 Game 1

Vijay Shankar played the role of a specialist batsman in the first T20I and played a handy knock of 27 runs which included 2 sixes and 2 fours. His presence at the crease during the middle overs of the game will be the X-factor for India in the second T20I.

All-Rounders

Hardik Pandya

Junior Pandya will look to forget the bashing from the Kiwis

Though Hardik Pandya failed with both the bat and the ball, Indian side in all probability will persist with him due to X-factor and balance he brings to the table. Also, the pitch in Auckland tends to suit his bowling style where he can remove the scars of the bashing he received in the 1st T20I.

Krunal Pandya

Senior Pandya will look to stake his claim in the World Cup squad

Krunal Pandya had a decent outing in the first T20I as he conceded 37 runs and effected 1 dismissal. He also scored 20 runs with the bat and his left arm orthodox spin could come in handy during the middle-overs in the next match.

Kedar Jadhav

Jadhav can contribute both with the bat and the ball

Indian thinktank will most likely replace Rishabh Pant with this little dynamite named Kedar Jadhav as he can play the role of a finisher as well as a wicket-taker with the ball. He has the ability to break partnerships with his slinging action and can provide an extra bowling option to his skipper.

Bowlers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

New Zealand v India - International T20 Game 1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar would like to forget his performance in the first T20I as he gave 47 runs with just 1 dismissal to his name. He should look to come back to his proper rhythm and stifle the batsmen with his swingers as he will most likely retain his place in the XI.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal's leg-spin could prove to be the difference between the two sides.

Yuzvendra Chahal was India's most economical bowler in the first T20I as he scalped a solitary wicket and gave away 35 runs at an economy rate of 8.75. He will look to put the best use of the spinner friendly pitch at Auckland and turn the momentum in India's favor.

Kuldeep Yadav

Chahal's partner in crime could be back

Another change that India might make for the 2nd T20I is bringing in Kuldeep Yadav at the expense of Khaleel Ahmed. Kuldeep Yadav could prove to be an economical bowler and reduce the momentum of the opposition while bowling in tandem with Chahal.