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India's T20 Squad Begins Nagpur Prep for New Zealand Series

Members of India's T20I squad began optional training in Nagpur ahead of the five-match home series against New Zealand. The session focused on fitness and skills, with captain Suryakumar Yadav and key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah in attendance. All-rounder Hardik Pandya skipped this session but may join the evening practice scheduled for Monday. The series, starting January 21, is India's final T20 engagement before they begin their T20 World Cup title defense in February.

Key Points: India T20 Team Prepares for New Zealand Series in Nagpur

  • Optional practice session held in Nagpur
  • Hardik Pandya skips, may join Monday
  • Series is final T20 assignment before World Cup
  • Squad changes with Iyer and Bishnoi in
2 min read

Indian T20I team begins preparation for series against New Zealand in Nagpur

Indian T20I squad members, including Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, start optional practice in Nagpur ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand.

"The members of India's T20I team turned up for an optional practice session from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, which was focused on their fitness and skill training. - VCA Official"

Nagpur, Jan 18

Some members of India's T20 squad kickstarted their preparations for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand at the New VCA Stadium, the venue set to host the opening game on January 21, in Nagpur on Sunday. The series will be India's final assignment in the format before their Men's T20 World Cup title defence begins on February 7.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Sanju Samson were among those who turned out for the optional practice session on Sunday.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya skipped the optional training session and could turn out in the practice to be held under lights on Monday. "The members of India's T20I team turned up for an optional practice session from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, which was focused on their fitness and skill training.

"They also have another practice session from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Monday, and it could be possible that Hardik may turn up for this one. The rest of the members of the India T20I team currently playing the ODI in Indore are expected to arrive in Nagpur on Monday afternoon, as will the New Zealand team," said a Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) official to IANS on Sunday.

After the game in Nagpur, India and New Zealand will play the rest of the T20I matches on January 23 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, January 25 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, January 28 at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, and January 31 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

India recently drafted leg-spinner Bishnoi and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer into the squad in place of Washington Sundar (side strain) and Tilak Varma (lower abdomen surgery). Iyer will be available only for the first three matches of the series, with an expectation that Varma will become fit to play the last two games.

The two sides are currently involved in a three-match ODI series with the third game being played in Indore on Sunday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Exciting series! The schedule is fantastic, matches all over India. Guwahati and Vizag will have amazing crowds. Hope Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson get consistent chances to shine.
A
Arjun K
Good to see optional sessions being utilized. Shows commitment. The last series before the World Cup is crucial for finalizing the playing XI. All the best, Team India!
S
Sarah B
Interesting squad changes. Bishnoi for Sundar makes sense, but the Iyer-Varma swap for the last two games seems a bit disruptive to team balance. Hope the management has a clear plan.
V
Vikram M
Nagpur's pitch can be tricky. Hope the boys get good practice under lights for the evening game. New Zealand is always a tough opponent, perfect preparation before the big event!
K
Kavya N
So many matches in January! As a fan, I love it. But I hope the players are not fatigued. The schedule is packed with ODIs and now T20s back-to-back. Player management is key.

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