India T20I squad - (Source: AFP)
India registered a comfortable seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I to lead the five-match series 2-0. New Zealand, batting first, put up 208 runs on the board, courtesy of Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra’s forty-plus scores.
In reply, India lost both openers early on, but Ishan Kishan justified his selection and slammed a quickfire fifty to help the Men in Blue chase the total. Suryakumar Yadav also ended his run drought and slammed a fifty. Ishan scored 76 (32), while Suryakumar Yadav was the top-scorer with 82 (37). Nonetheless, the caravan now moves to the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati, where the two teams will lock horns on January 25.
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I preview
For the second T20, India made a couple of changes - Axar Patel missed because of the finger injury he suffered in the opening game, while Harshit Rana came in as his replacement. Jasprit Bumrah was also rested, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. It allowed Kuldeep Yadav to come in and pair up with Varun Chakaravarthy.
Despite the perfect win, there were a few negatives, and the Men in Blue are expected to make a couple of changes.
Sanju Samson is struggling for runs and the right-handed batter is under the scanner for his performance. Arshdeep also had an off day with the ball.Therefore, this article will shed light on India’s probable XI for the third T20I.
Top Order: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav
Sanju Samson the only flop in shining top-order
India's top-order has been in solid form as Abhishek, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav have all returned to form. However, eyes are on Sanju Samson, who is the only weak link in the top-order.
Talking about Sanju's numbers, the 31-year-old has scored just 16 runs in two innings and is under immense pressure to score runs. Besides him, Abhishek flopped in 2nd T20I, but it won't dent his confidence because a quickfire 80 in the curtain-raiser game.
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan also stitched fifties in the 2nd T20I to bolster their confidence heading to the batting friendly surface in Guwahati.
Middle Order: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana
No update on Axar's fitness; Harshit set to continue
The middle-order is also expected to be the same as one which featured in the 2nd T20I. Axar Patel won't be risked and since there is no official update about his recovery, the southpaw is expected to sit out for the Guwahati T20i as well.
Shivam Dube slammed 36 off 18 balls and also picked up a wicket. Hardik Pandya and Rinku didn't get the chance to bat, while Harshit Rana is also set to retain his spot because he took the first break-through of the night with Devon Conway's wicket that changed the momentum of the game because New Zealand were going strong.
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Bumrah to replace Arshdeep Singh
In the bowling department, India are set to make a solitary change as Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the 2nd T20I, will return to the playing XI for the Guwahati T20I. Notably, India would look to seal the series in the 3rd T20I and in case they do so, then Jasprit can rest for the remaining series.
Since Bumrah is returning, Arshdeep Singh is set to lose his spot to Harshit Rana gets the nod ahead because of Rana's batting prowess. Further, Talking about Arshdeep's performance in the 2nd T20i, the left-arm seamer gave away 53 runs in his four overs. Besides Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy will continue to be part of the playing XI.
India's predicted playing XI for New Zealand, 3rd T20I, 2026
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
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