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India Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand – 3rd T20I, 2026

Abhinav Tyagi

Team India practise ahead of 3rd T20I - (Source: AFP)Team India practise ahead of 3rd T20I - (Source: AFP)

India extended their lead against New Zealand to 2-0 following a brilliant run-chase at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy ruined the Kiwis’ plan to level the series with a brilliant 8th-wicket partnership for India.

The caravan now moves to Wellington for the series-deciding game. The hosts are under pressure, but India too have dealt a blow because Ishan Kishan has been officially ruled out of the 3rd T20I. Therefore, ahead of the 3rd match, this article will shed light on India’s predicted playing XI against New Zealand.

Openers and Top order: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for India as seen in the 2nd T20I. Earlier, there were doubts whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might be promoted up the order, but the 15-year-old will bat at No.3. 

In the 2nd T20I, the two openers struggled for runs. Samson scored 14 (17), while Abhishek Sharma survived a no-ball scare and yet amassed 27 (21). The 15-year-old wonderkid didn’t have his day either and departed for an 8-ball 4.

Middle order and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel

At no.4, Shreyas Iyer will take the charge. The India skipper failed to get going in the 2nd T20I and scored just 11 (7). Tilak Varma was the star with the bat and excelled in his new role as a finisher.

The southpaw scored a quickfire 51 (26) and pulled a win out of the jaws of defeat. Tilak was accompanied by Nitish Kumar Reddy, with whom he stitched an unbeaten 69-run stand. Reddy too scored 26 (13).

Naman Dhir played a crucial cameo and slammed 31 (17), which featured a solitary six and three fours. Axar Patel will continue to don the all-rounders hat for India and be the leading spinner of the team.

In the 2nd T20I, Axar scored 11 (9) and bowled an economical spell of 0/28 in his four overs.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh

Among the bowlers, India will go ahead with the same attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar finally picked up his first wicket for India after 1434 days. Prince Yadav also bowled well and took a solitary wicket.

Arshdeep Singh too picked up 2 scalps in the 2nd T20I and overtook Bhuvneshwar Kumar to take most wickets in a calendar year by an Indian bowler in T20Is.

India Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand – 1st T20I, 2026

Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh