Having secured a clean sweep in the recently completed ODI series, India will be looking to put New Zealand to the sword in the first of three T20 encounters on Friday.
India are missing some big names, but will be brimming with confidence that they can build on their ODI success against the Black Caps at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
They are the form team in white-ball cricket going into this one and are the understandable 2/5 favourites to win this first T20 encounter on home soil.
New Zealand will be hoping the change in format down to 20 overs works in their favour and are 2/1 for the win on Friday.
India vs New Zealand T20 Betting Tips
India top run scorer – Suryakumar Yadav @ 4/1
In just 43 innings, Suryakumar Yadav has managed to score three hundreds and an impressive 13 fifties for India.
With an average of 46.4 and striking at 180.3, Suryakumar is a dangerous weapon in the Indian batting order and is set to come in at number three against New Zealand.
Opener Shubman Gill has been in amazing form in the 50-over form of the game, managing 476 runs in his last four ODIs.
However, he has only played three T20 internationals in his career and that might give Suryakumar the edge to finish as India’s top run scorer in this one.
New Zealand top wicket taker – Lockie Ferguson @ 13/5
Paceman Lockie Ferguson will be the man expected to lead the Black Caps’ bowling attack in this encounter in Ranchi.
With the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult unavailable, there is plenty of responsibility on Ferguson’s shoulders to get wickets.
Jacob Duffy, Henry Shipley, Ben Lister and Blair Tickner are the other members of the seam bowling attack, while all-rounder Michael Bracewell is likely to get a few overs with his off-spin.
In the spin department, Ish Sodhi, Michael Rippon, Santner and Mark Chapman are the main options for New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.
It certainly will not be easy for the Black Caps bowling attack, but Ferguson will be determined to get back among the wickets after struggling somewhat over the ODI series.
The T20 format might suit the Kiwi seamer better, with Ferguson bagging 41 wickets in his 28 matches for his country in the T20 format.
Whether his wickets will be enough to spring a shock against India at the JSCA International Stadium Complex remains to be seen.
