The Indian cricket team will have to beat New Zealand (IND vs NZ T20 World Cup) at any cost to keep the hopes of the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 alive. Team India had to face defeat by 10 wickets in the first match against Pakistan.
The match between India and New Zealand will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. A day before this match, Indian captain Virat Kohli made it clear that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is fit but he will not bowl.
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Kohli also indicated that Shardul Thakur might get a chance in the playing XI in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It was clear from Kohli’s press conference that R Ashwin would be seen again sitting on the bench.
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‘It is important for Hardik to be fit to bowl’
Kohli acknowledged the need for a “sixth option in bowling” but all-rounder seemed to be hesitant when asked about Hardik Pandya’s bowling fitness. Kohli said ahead of the crucial match against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup that the Baroda player “has to be fit to bowl an over or two”.
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Pandya has started bowling during net practice but the captain did not give any assurance that the all-rounder will bowl against New Zealand. However, he did indicate that if the Indian team bowls first in the match, then he himself can try his hand in it. Kohli said, “It is very important to have the sixth bowling option, whether it is through me or Hardik does it. He should be fit to bowl an over or two.
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India’s playing XI against New Zealand (India Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand) can be as follows: –
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakraborty.
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