Nagpur, Maharashtra, India:  The five-match T20I series between India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team begins today with the opening match scheduled to be played in Nagpur. After a gap of nearly three years, the two sides are set to face each other in the T20 format once again, with the contest starting at 7:00 PM IST on January 21.

Cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the series opener, which will be held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The last time India and New Zealand met in a T20I was on February 1, 2023, making this series a highly anticipated encounter for followers of both teams.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian side features a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and young talent. The return of star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah adds significant strength to the bowling attack and will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. In the wicketkeeping department, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan remain key contenders, while the finishing responsibilities are likely to be handled by Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube.

India Probable XI (Anticipated)

Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shreyas Iyer / Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh / Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav / Harshit Rana.

Pitch Report and Match Conditions

The Nagpur surface is traditionally known to assist spinners, especially as the match progresses. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first, with conditions expected to slow down later in the evening. India’s spin combination, featuring Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, could play a crucial role against the New Zealand batting lineup.