India’s 3-0 lead in the T20I series against New Zealand has given the team management room to experiment, but India 4th T20I team selection could become complicated if Ishan Kishan returns from injury. The fourth match in Auckland presents a choice between continuing with teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or bringing Sanju Samson back to the opening position.
Sooryavanshi strengthened his case with an impressive 45 off just 19 balls in Wellington. His opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma produced 133 runs as India chased down 199 in only 13.2 overs.
Kishan, meanwhile, has returned to batting practice after suffering a low-grade right adductor strain that kept him out of the second and third matches.
Sooryavanshi or Samson if Kishan Returns?
Samson moved to No. 3 in Wellington to accommodate Sooryavanshi after opening earlier in the series. If Kishan is declared fit, India will have to decide how to accommodate their available top-order options.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Samson's return to the opening position if Kishan is available. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent, Ashwin has also cautioned against placing excessive pressure on the young batter so early in his career.
Samson brings experience, while Sooryavanshi has demonstrated his ability to provide aggressive starts. Kishan's fitness will therefore play an important role in determining the combination.
India have already secured the series, which means there may be little reason to rush Kishan back before he is fully fit.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy in Contention
The fourth T20I could also provide opportunities for India's unused bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy have yet to feature in the series.
Kuldeep offers wicket-taking ability in the middle overs, while Varun brings variations that can challenge opposition batters. Giving either spinner a game would help India assess their options ahead of future assignments, including the T20 World Cup.
Shivam Dube could also be considered if the management decides to rest Nitish Kumar Reddy. Mayank Yadav remains another option after making way for Prince Yadav following the opening match.
Eden Park Pitch and Match Conditions
Auckland's Eden Park presents a different challenge because of its unusually short straight boundaries and longer square boundaries. Batters could find opportunities to score freely, but bowlers will need to adjust their lengths and plans carefully.
New Zealand will be particularly keen to improve after India's dominant performance in Wellington, where the visitors scored 118 runs in the first six overs and completed the chase with 40 balls remaining.
The hosts will look towards captain Mitchell Santner and the rest of their bowling attack to restrict India's aggressive batting line-up.
Predicted Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Nathan Smith.
New Zealand will be without Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry for the remainder of the series because of injuries. Matt Fisher has joined as cover, while Nathan Smith could return after missing the third match.
Relevant Link: Board of Control for Cricket in India
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