ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: KL Rahul as opener, this could be India’s playing XI vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team are on the ultimate high after beating five-time world champions Australia at the Oval by 36 runs. Their next encounter will be against New Zealand, a side whom they recently beat 4-1 in the ODI series to win in New Zealand after 10 years. However, the Kiwis are a dangerous side. Kane Williamson’s team won the warm-up game and have a 4-3 head-to-head advantage against India in World Cups, having never lost to India in England. Williamson’s side will also be hoping to capitalise on some distractions for the Indian cricket team, with Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out for the next 10-12 days due to a hairline fracture on his thumb.

However, the rain has been persistent in Nottingham with both the practice sessions being washed out. There have been unseasonal rains throughout England with three games getting washed out, two without a ball bowled or a toss. However, if the match takes place, India would be looking to make some changes in the line-up.

RELATED

With Dhawan out, KL Rahul will slot in as the opener along with Rohit Sharma. MS Dhoni might move to No.4 in the line-up while the fifth or the sixth slot could be filled by Vijay Shankar or Dinesh Karthik. Shankar’s inclusion could give India a lot more variety in their bowling and batting. Karthik could boost the batting but with Shankar having played some games, he might get the nod.

The wicket in Trent Bridge on which the match will be played has a bit of green and it is a hard wicket. The extra bounce and seam that could be on offer in this wicket could give a chance to Mohammed Shami. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who bowled well in the game against Australia, rediscovered a bit of his touch but Shami has been in great form and he posed plenty of problems to Martin Guptill and Colin Munro in the powerplay during the series in New Zealand.

Dhawan’s injury has posed some questions to the Indian batting order. However, they have depth in the squad.

News Nation’s India Playing XI vs New Zealand:

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

HIGHLIGHTS

• New Zealand has won their first three games in World Cup 2019.
• India defeated South Africa and Australia in the World Cup.
• New Zealand has a 4-3 advantage in World Cups against India.