Ind vs NZ, 2nd T20: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 8th, 2019

Twice in a week, New Zealand have inflicted record losses upon an Indian side led by Rohit Sharma, whose near-perfect record as a captain has taken a severe beating of late.

In the first T20I, New Zealand dominated from the get-go and never let India take control of proceedings with Tim Siefert and the bowlers doing the bulk of the damage.

With another flat-track on offer at the Eden Park, India should go all-out in order to keep the series alive while the Kiwis see upon this as an opportunity to salvage their pride after a disappointing ODI series.

---

Squads to choose from:

New Zealand

James Neesham, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert(WK), Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi

India

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, MS Dhoni(WK), Rishabh Pant, Kedhar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Sidharth Kaul and Khaleel Ahmed.

---

Playing XI Updates

New Zealand

After a dominant performance from the entire team with all their bowlers doing brilliantly against a depleted Indian batting unit.

Colin de Grandhomme though could make way for James Neesham with the south-paw in good touch in recent matches. Lockie Ferguson's explosive pace was lethal in the previous T20 and should keep his place with the pacer not available for the third ODI.

Daryl Mitchell's bowling ability adds another option in a stacked up bowling attack giving Kane Williamson a headache oppositions would envy.

Possible XI: Munro, Seifert(WK), Williamson (C), Taylor, Mitchell, Neesham, Santner, Kuggeleijn, Southee, Sodhi and Ferguson.

India

India might have erred in resting Kuldeep Yadav and playing an all-rounder too many. Vijay Shankar is by no means a batsmen fit to be batting at No.3 and should make way for Shubman Gill, giving him valuable game time while grooming him for the future.

Khaleel Ahmed wasn't able to rattle Munro or Siefert in the powerplay and could make way for an accomplished death specialist in Siddarth Kaul.

Possible XI: Rohit(C), Dhawan, Gill, Pant, Dhoni(WK), DK/Jadhav, Hardik, Krunal/Kuldeep, Chahal, Bhuvi and Kaul.

---

Fantasy Tips and Suggestions

Wicket-keeper: Seifert's brilliance in the previous ODI makes him the front-runner for this position although MS Dhoni isn't a bad option at all.

Dhoni reinvented himself in the IPL 2018 campaign for CSK as he bludgeoned bowlers all over the country to reinstate his credentials.

Batsmen: Either of Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan are great options to have in the team. With the Auckland pitch set to be a high-scoring one, top order batsmen are the need of the hour which implies the selections of Kane Williamson and Colin Munro.

Rishabh Pant is also one to look out for after he missed out on a golden opportunity in Wellington while trying to attempt too many unorthodox shots in his brief stay at the crease.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya has been good with both bat and ball since returning from suspension due to his off-field antics. He is a must have in the side with one of Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner to be preferred alongside him.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav is set to return in all likelihood and with the series at stake, he should be backed to put in a telling performance.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lockie Ferguson are also handy options to have in your fantasy sides while the likes of Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi can also be opted for.

Captain: Rohit Sharma has been offbeat since the third ODI and needs to step in a do-or-die clash for the Indians. Alongside Dhawan and Williamson, Rohit is one of the prime contenders for captaincy.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Tim Seifert (WK), Kane Williamson, Colin Munro, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Daryl Mitchell, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson. Captain: Kane Williamson

Fantasy Suggestion #2: MS Dhoni(WK), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Lockie Ferguson, Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Captain: Rohit Sharma