IND vs NZ Highlights, 1st T20I: First T20I between India and New Zealand abandoned due to rain

That's it from our side, thank you for turning up for the first T20I between India and New Zealand. We will be back with the second game to be played on Sunday. Till then, stay tuned to Sportskeeda!

Not a single ball was bowled and the match has been called off. We now head to the second T20I on Sunday.

Match Update: The first T20 between India and New Zealand has been abandoned due to rain.

Talking of the openers, Sanju Samson is one name that has been prolific for India. He played in the 2020 series against New Zealand but didn't deliver much. However, he can change the course of the game quickly when he is in full flow. Samson has struggled to make his place in the side but his performance in this series can get him more chances.

The opening duo of Finn Allen, and Devon Conway have been explosive and would be key for the Kiwis . On the other hand, India's top-order has been a worry in the recent times. Fresh faces like Kishan and Gill would be expected to step up and go big in the series.

All three highest-run scorers won't be playing the series but we have some fearsome batsmen in the two sides.

Highest-run getters in INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND T20Is:
Rohit Sharma: 17 Matches, 511 Runs, 6 50s
Colin Munro: 12 Matches, 426 Runs,1 100s, 3 50s
Martin Guptill: 16 Matches, 380 Runs, 2 50s

Looking at the New Zealand squad for the T20I series, Martin Guptill, and Trent Boult haven't been included and we'll have to see how the team plays in their absence as they are two vital players of their team.

The situation remains to stay the same and the match will be abandoned if the rain doesn't stop till 2:15 PM IST.

Match Update: The rain hasn't stopped yet and it is expected to rain for the next few hours.

This is a vital opportunity for players like Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, and Mohammad Siraj to get up in the ranks and prove their worth to be in the Indian side in the long run. How will India's pace battery perform in this T20I series?

As far as the bowling is concerned, the Indian line-up has power-packed bowlers like Arshdeep Singh who emerged as their best bowler in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Mohammad Siraj, Umran Malik, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal , Kuldeep Yadav and the veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

India has a big question over their head in the form of deciding their opening batsmen. Shubhman Gill is the only opener India has with options of Kishan and Pant in the contention as well who have played in similar roles in the past.

With the exclusion of players like Rohit and Kohli, the onus would be on Shubhman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Rishabh Pant in the top order for India.

Indian batsmen have had a tough time against the Kiwi bowlers and it can be difficult for the young guns of India to go up against the New Zealanders.

India vs New Zealand in T20Is:
Lowest score by India: 79 (18.1) in Nagpur on 15 Mar 2016

India vs New Zealand in T20Is:
Lowest score by New Zealand: 111 (20) at Eden Gardens on 21 Nov 2021

Hardik Pandya will lead the T20I side and VVS Laxman has been appointed as the Coach for the series. Umran Malik has also made his place in the team and it will be interesting to watch how he goes on the pace-friendly New Zealand pitches.

India has made quite some changes coming into this series against New Zealand. Top players like skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul have been rested. Also, Head Coach Rahul Dravid has also been given a break for this series.

Match Update: It's still raining in Wellington and the covers haven't been taken off. The start has been delayed.

India vs New Zealand in T20Is:
Highest score by India: 208/6 (20) in Hamilton on 10 Feb 2019

Today's match is in Wellington and we have observed a huge score of 219 runs. Will it be raining boundaries in this match as well?

India vs New Zealand in T20Is:
Highest score by New Zealand: 219/6 (20) in Wellington on 6 Feb 2019

India has won the last two T20I series played between the two sides as well. They won the 2020 tour to New Zealand 5-0 and beat them 3-0 at home. Will India be able to repeat the feat in this series as well or will it be the Blackcaps who'll bounce back?

India has won the last 4 games out of 5 against New Zealand with their only loss coming in the 2021 T20 World Cup league stage game.

India has the upper-hand in the head-to-head record which is a good confidence booster for the side. However, one can never count out the New Zealand XI who has troubled India in the recent years.

It's currently raining in Wellington and the pitch has been covered. We can expect delay in start of the game here. Let's hope the rain goes away and we can have a match between the two sides.

India vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20Is played in New Zealand:
India: 6
New Zealand: 4

India vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20Is:
India: 11
New Zealand: 9

New Zealand Squad: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi

India Squad: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Deepak Hooda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel

Hello and welcome to the live presentation for the first T20I between India and New Zealand. Both teams are coming from major setbacks and it will be an interesting contest to see who gains the upper hand today.