Key Takeaways

• (ANI Photo) NAGPUR: Over the last two years, India in T20Is have been an irresistible force.
• The captain, though, has now been plagued by diminishing returns when it comes to consistency.
• With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, India perfected the art of winning T20Is.

Key Development 1

NewsSports NewsCricket NewsIndia’s T20 World Cup prep enters home stretch as NZ series offers final chance to test and tweak formationsTrendingIND vs NZ T20I Full ScheduleVirat KohliDC vs MI Live ScoreVirat Kohli BrotherScotland Cricket TeamRamiz RazaAjinkya RahaneAUS vs JAP Live ScoreBAN vs NZ Live ScoreR AshwinIND vs NZ T20I Full ScheduleVirat KohliDC vs MI Live ScoreVirat Kohli BrotherScotland Cricket TeamRamiz RazaAjinkya RahaneAUS vs JAP Live ScoreBAN vs NZ Live ScoreR AshwinIND vs NZ T20I Full ScheduleVirat KohliDC vs MI Live ScoreVirat Kohli BrotherScotland Cricket TeamRamiz RazaAjinkya RahaneAUS vs JAP Live ScoreBAN vs NZ Live ScoreR AshwinIndia’s T20 World Cup prep enters home stretch as NZ series offers final chance to test and tweak formationsSandeep Dabhekar / TNN / Updated: Jan 21, 2026, 08:16 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav during a practice session.

(ANI Photo) NAGPUR: Over the last two years, India in T20Is have been an irresistible force.

It’s a situation Indian fans dread.

Pacer Kristian Clarke was added as a backup for the first three T20Is.While chasing is the ‘in thing’ in T20s, the past few games at Jamtha Stadium indicate it is not a wise decision.

Key Development 2

The captain, though, has now been plagued by diminishing returns when it comes to consistency.

With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, India perfected the art of winning T20Is.

In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be making a comeback along with Varun Chakravarthy.Having won their first Test and ODI series in India recently, New Zealand is expected to be looking for an encore in the T20 format too.

Suryakumar Yadav press conference: On India T20I Playing XI, personal form and moreThe Kiwis, though, with their recent exploits, have forced India to approach the five-match series, beginning in Nagpur from Wednesday, as more than just a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup.

Key Development 3

But can that continue when more pressing engagements lie ahead in a high pressure environment like a home World Cup?

Of the last four matches in Nagpur, teams that have opted to chase have lost thrice.

In the last 22 T20Is, Suryakumar has now averaged just 12.84 without a fifty to his name.It’s to his credit that his poor form has now not affected his decision making and captaincy.

Apart from the skipper’s form, India do not have too many other issues in the batting department.They would have loved to have the reassuring sight of Tilak Varma walk in at no.3 though.

Key Development 4

With the likes of skipper Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy in their ranks, New Zealand have the firepower to spring a surprise.Kiwi coach Rob Walter stated that Michael Bracewell’s participation in the series depends on his recovery from an injury.

NOW!With their playing XI sorted for the T20 World Cup, a bilateral series barely three weeks ahead of the marquee event should ideally have been all about last-minute fine-tuning for India.

With Shubman Gill out of the T20I scheme of things, Sanju Samson is assured of his preferred opening slot along with Abhishek Sharma.

While the skipper and Hardik Pandya complete the batting line-up, the remaining lone slot is expected to be a toss-up between Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer.

Key Development 5

Samson has now a terrific record as a T20I opener — three centuries in 18 innings, a strike rate of 178, and a 32-plus average.On the eve of the match, Suryakumar made public that Ishan Kishan is expected to be India’s No 3 batter on Wednesday.

Sadly, the left-hander is recuperating after abdominal surgery.

The only exception was the eight-over shootout, which India won by six wickets against Australia in 2022.Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals.

Just 447 kms away, on Sunday, New Zealand won their first ODI series in India in Indore.

Key Development 6

Powered by a batting unit packed with big-hitters and attacking stroke-makers, a balanced bowling attack with full of variety, the reigning World T20 champions have won 72% of the matches in this period.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.

A couple of years ago, the Kiwis broke India’s 12-year invincible home record in Tests with a 3-0 clean sweep.Up against their nemesis of sorts, India are led by a man desperately trying to rediscover his form.

The Indian camp would be hoping that the marauding Suryakumar of the past turns up at the Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday and for the rest of the series.

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Key Development 7

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