By Devadyuti Das | Updated: January 20, 2026 7:58 AM IST
In these collection of pictures, we find out all about Team India's Predicted playing 11 for the 1st T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday.
1. Sanju Samson: The new Chennai Super Kings recruit will be the opener and wicketkeeper in the T20I line-up for New Zealand series.
2. Abhishek Sharma: He is the world No. 1 T20I batter and will return to the opening position in the lead up to the T20 World Cup 2026 next month.
3. Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): The Mumbai Indians batter will take over reigns of the team and will look to find some batting form in the five-match T20I series vs New Zealand beginning on Wednesday.
4. Shreyas Iyer or Ishan Kishan: They will be the potential replacement for injured Tilak Varma. Ishan had a terrific Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, leading Jharkhand to the title which led to his recall while Iyer has made a T20I comeback due to injury to Tilak Varma.
5. Hardik Pandya: The Mumbai Indians captain was rested for the ODI series vs New Zealand but will be crucial player with both bat and ball in T20 World Cup 2026.
6. Rinku Singh: The Kolkata Knight Riders batter has also recalled for T20 World Cup 2026 at the expense of Jitesh Sharma and will be expected to play the role of a finisher.
7. Axar Patel: The Delhi Capitals all-rounder was given a break after his injury in T20I series vs South Africa last month. He will be expected to be spin-bowling all-rounder in the Indian playing 11.
8. Harshit Rana or Shivam Dube: It will be a toss up between the two for the second pace-bowling all-rounder. While Dube gives more batting options, Rana is more useful as a fast bowler.
9. Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab Kings pacer should get the nod ahead of chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav considering the weather and pitch conditions in Nagpur.
10. Jasprit Bumrah: India's premier pace bowler will make a comeback in the T20I series after being rested for the ODI series vs New Zealand.
11. Varun Chakravarthy: He is the world No. 1 T20I bowler and will be the lead spinner for India in the series. Here is the full India playing 11 for 1st T20 vs New Zealand... Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shreyas Iyer/Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana/Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.