India vs New Zealand T20I Predictions, Picks, Odds

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal/Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner

New Zealand Look To Break India’s Solid T20I Home Record in Series-Decider in Ahmedabad

There has been a lot of talk about India’s formidable record at home across formats. They have not lost a three-match series decider in T20Is at home ever. In fact, their only three-match T20I series defeat has come against South Africa which was back in October 2015 and they’ve remained unbeaten in 12 consecutive T20I series’ at home. 

However, India may not have played to their potential in this series. Their top-order has struggled in spin-friendly conditions and it has largely been Suryakumar Yadav who has pulled them through along with contributions from Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar. Ishan Kishan hasn't been able to really live upto that potential while Gill is yet to crack the T20I code. Conditions were tough but they’ve thrown their wickets away twice in two games. Thus, the onus will once again be on the middle-order. Meanwhile, the spinners have exploited the conditions well for India but the pace battery will be eyeing consistency. 

On the other hand, New Zealand’s batting couldn’t fire in the second game but Devon Conway has been their Mr Consistent at the top. He will be the glue for the visitors. The bowlers have fared well and the spinners have kept the Indian batters under check. The spin trio of Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi will once again play a vital role.

Team News

Both India and New Zealand played three spinners in the second T20I. Either side is unlikely to tinker with their side. New Zealand have three pacers and three spinners in their XI while India have the same, including Hardik Pandya. The only change they might ponder over is if they want to bring back Umran Malik in place of Yuzvendra Chahal if the track isn’t that conducive to spin.

Key Players 

Suryakumar Yadav has been the standout batter for India. He has been batting like a dream and in this series, he has been the only Indian batter who has come to term with the spin-friendly conditions. He has made 73 runs in two innings so far in this series. Not just in this series but over the last year or so as well, Surya has been magnificent. Since the start of 2022, he has amassed 1407 runs at an average of 50.25 and a strike-rate of 179.69. 

Devon Conway is in solid touch with the bat. The left-hander’s performances have often gone under the radar. He is the rock at the top of the order and he has consistently performed across formats. Since the start of last year, he has scored 631 runs while averaging 45.07 and striking at 123.00. In addition to that, he is an excellent player of spin and he will be critical to New Zealand's chances in this third T20I.