India in New Zealand 2020

[PKBasu]

India will tour New Zealand in late-January and February 2020 for a series of T20is, tests and ODIs. A shadow India A side will go there earlier to play two one-day and two four-day matches, the second including all the Indian test specialists (Agarwal, who may not be a test specialist alone for too much longer, Pujara, Rahane, Ashwin, Saha, but not the pacers, who are being held back from too much exposure presumably). The team for the first 4-dayer includes Shaw, Gill, Agarwal, Panchal and Easwaran — 5 contenders for the opener’s slot — and captained by Vihari. Ishan Porel and Sandeep Warrier are the new pacers in squads for all four matches (one-day and four day games).

[PKBasu]

India will play 5 T20Is, starting 24 January, then 3 ODIs in February and two tests at Basin Reserve (Wellington) starting 21 Feb, and at Hagley Oval (Christchurch new ground) starting 29th February.

[PKBasu]

The India A tour has begun, with a 50 over tour match against a NZ XI. India A made a modest 279/8 with Ruturaj Gaekwad making 93 and skipper Shubman Gill making 50 as opener (while Mayank fell for 8). Suryakumar Yadav also made 50, Krunal Pandya 41, while Samson was run out for 4. With this team in NZ, it is going to be difficult to find replacements for injured players in the home series against Australia. That is why Rahul is 'keeping in the next match, with Pant injured.

[PKBasu]

India A easily won the match, with Khaleel Ahmed taking 4/43, Siraj 2/33, Krunal 2/51 and Rahul Chahar 1/5 (1 over). Even Vijay Shankar had 1/26 (6 overs). Not sure how serious the NZ XI was, which folded for 187.

[prasen9]

The two more ODIs do not matter that much more than the series in New Zealand. It is a good idea to have the A-team play in NZ.

[Sin Hombre]

India A bowled out for 372 with Shaw scoring 150 off 100. This kid will have to be phased in to replace Dhawan over the next year or 2 with a view to the 2023 WC.

[Atithee]

The no namers in the NZ XI scored 360 in reply. Just how bad are our second in line bowlers? Getting lower order out is just difficult for us.

[Sin Hombre]

Vijay Shankar conceded 50 runs in 4 overs. Not an all-rounder option at all.

[prasen9]

No, he is more of a bat and a 6th bowler.

Shaw scored a 100 ball 150 right after returning from an injury. Wow! Gaekwad scored 93 in one innings. Surya Yadav, Krunal, Vijay S. and Gill scored over 70 runs (less than 80) in two innings. The rest nothing to write about. Agarwal failed in both innings. Ahmed, Krunal Pandya, Porel, Siraj, Chahal have bowled well. Vijay and Warrior were crappy. Axar is a poor man's Jadeja. Keeping the runs down but not really taking wickets.

[prasen9]

Dhawan is out of the T20I series. While I do not wish injury on any player, in a way, this is good.

My XI: Rahul, Rohit, Kohli, Iyer, Pandey, Pant, Jadeja, Thakur, Kuldeep, Saini, Bumrah.

Among the guys who average around 50 in List-As (Pujara, Mukund, Yashpal Singh, Mayank, Ruturaj, and Easwaran), Mayank has the highest SR along with Ruturaj around 100 with the rest having a SR near 80. Ruturaj averages around 50 with a SR near 100. Maybe worth a long run in the A-team tours for List-A matches for Ruturaj? Mayank and Prithvi should be in line for T-20I/ODI callups.

[Sin Hombre]

Ishant is unfortunately ruled out of the test series which is a big blow.

I don't really rate the 4-8 in that batting order posted by prasen (one will be replaced by Hardik if/when fit) but we have to give them the full NZ series (unless a Gill or a Shaw is drafted as Dhawan's replacement in which case they should be given some chances).

[prasen9]

I chose given the team. I would have chosen Karthik to keep given the T20 WC so close and it being abroad. Experience matters when playing abroad and Karthik has shown improvement in hitting. I would love to give Samson a run to see if he can take it. He'd be the keeper. Iyer deserves a longer run in the T20Is.

The team management may well play Shami instead of Thakur. But, there is logic to that.

For tests, the bowling will be Bumrah, Shami, Umesh, and Hardik. Assisted by a spinner I presume. Jadeja? Or else, they may drop Umesh and go with an additional bat in Vihari.

[prasen9]

Samson has been included in the T20I team and Shaw in the ODI team.

So, my preferred XI would now have Samson replacing Pant in T20Is.

[Sin Hombre]

India A won the final match by chasing down 230 in 29.3 overs. Everyone batted relatively quickly.

Would have wanted to see SuryaKumar Yadav get a chance in either the T20 or ODI squads. Scores really quickly and runs hard, good fielder and can bowl a bit as well. Better try him than waste a spot on Jadhav again.

[prasen9]

Mayank has had a bad 3 game stretch. Prithvi and Ruturaj have been phenomenal. Shankar and Pandya done well with the bat. Yadav and Gill have been fine too. Samson and Kishan not that great.