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Kishan Returns as NZ Bowl First in T20I Opener, Clarke Debuts

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening T20I against India in Nagpur. The match marks the return of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan to India's T20I side and the debut of New Zealand pacer Kristian Clarke. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, playing his 100th T20I, noted the team was prepared to bat first despite the toss decision. The series is crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the pitch expected to be slow and low-scoring.

Key Points: NZ Bowl vs India in 1st T20I, Kishan Returns, Clarke Debuts

  • NZ win toss and bowl first
  • Ishan Kishan returns to India's T20I side
  • Kristian Clarke handed debut for NZ
  • Pitch described as low-scoring and slow
  • Series serves as World Cup prep
2 min read

1st T20I: Kishan returns as NZ elect to bowl against India, Clarke handed debut

New Zealand bowl first in Nagpur T20I. Ishan Kishan returns for India, Kristian Clarke debuts for NZ. Get playing XIs and key quotes.

1st T20I: Kishan returns as NZ elect to bowl against India, Clarke handed debut
"s.QUOTE: We were looking to bowl first because we felt there was dew around 8:30pm during our practice. - Suryakumar Yadav"

Nagpur, Jan 21

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the opening match of a five-game T20I series at the VCA Stadium on Wednesday, with pacer Kristian Clarke handed a debut cap.

Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has returned to the India T20I side for the first time since 2023. With Shubman Gill omitted, Sanju Samson returns as the opener alongside an in-form Abhishek Sharma.

The series comes ahead of the T20 World Cup starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led side enter as defending champions. "We were looking to bowl first because we felt there was dew around 8:30pm during our practice.

"But we don't mind putting runs on the board and we have done well batting first. Shreyas, Harshit, Bishnoi and Kuldeep are the ones who are missing out," said Suryakumar, who's playing his 100th T20I game.

Earlier this month, New Zealand defeated India in an ODI series on Indian soil for the first time. "Looks like a pretty good wicket and looks pretty high-scoring. Last week was pretty special. Every team knows how hard it is to come to India and win. But this is a fresh series and they are a tough team in home conditions. Great start for us in terms of prep for the World Cup," said skipper Mitchell Santner.

In their pitch report, Simon Doull and Deep Dasgupta said conditions in Nagpur would favour bowlers, describing the surface as low-scoring and slow. "This venue has hosted the most T20I games in India. Pretty low-scoring pitch. They've relayed the surface well. There are a lot of cracks around it. It's soft underneath.

"Will be a low, slow pitch. Last time NZ were here, it turned quite a bit, not tonight. Cracks are wide, so the ball will do a bit to find edges. Dew not much. Would still like to chase if you won the toss," said Doull and Dasgupta.

Playing XIs

India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, and Jacob Duffy

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the team trying different combinations before the World Cup. Abhishek Sharma has been in great form, deserves this chance. But the pitch report sounds tricky... low and slow. Our spinners need to step up tonight!
V
Vikram M
Surya's 100th T20I! What a player he has been for India. A bit worried about the batting order though. Hope we put up a good total if the pitch is as tough as they say. NZ will be confident after that ODI series win.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, I think the team management is overthinking the World Cup prep. We need to settle on a core XI, not keep chopping and changing. Consistency is key. That said, Jai Hind and let's win this!
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US! Great to see Bumrah back in the T20 side. He's the key to our bowling attack. The NZ debutant Clarke will have his hands full in these conditions. Should be a fascinating contest.
K
Kavya N
All the best to SKY and the boys! The VCA stadium is a great venue. Hope the crowd gets behind the team. We need to start the series on a high, especially after the ODI loss. Rinku Singh, time for another finisher's knock! 💥

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