Having clinched the five-match ODI series 4-1, the Indian cricket team will also look to dominate the T20I series against New Zealand. The first match of the three-match series will be played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Wednesday, 6 February 2019.
For the record, New Zealand have been India’s bogey team in the 20-over format; no team has a better record against India than the Kiwis.
India have played two T20Is in New Zealand previously, and they are yet to taste success.
Ten years since that previous series in New Zealand, India are ranked number two in the T20I rankings, while the Kiwis are ranked sixth. The rankings are not only reflective of the consistency of the two teams, but also recent form. While India have dominated most of their opponents, the Kiwis have struggled for success.
New Zealand have won only two of their last 11 T20Is – even suffering six consecutive losses which was broken with their most recent win against Sri Lanka. India on the other hand, have lost only two of their last 15 T20Is; India’s success in the format in the last year includes a tournament win in Sri Lanka, bilateral series wins in South Africa, England and Ireland, apart from wins at home against the West Indies and a drawn series in Australia.
Wellington: Lucky Hunting Ground For the Hosts
Though their recent form doesn’t make for pleasant reading and doesn’t inspire too much confidence, New Zealand will hope to feed off the good vibes they’ll feel at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington – given their impressive record there; the Kiwis have a 6-3 win-loss record at the venue and have been victors in their last four T20Is.
Chance For Captain Rohit to Better Skipper Virat
The Indian team will be without the services of regular captain Virat Kohli, who has been granted rest, and will be therefore led by Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai batsman has an impressive CV as captain in T20 cricket – having led Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles, and his record as India’s T20 captain is no different; he has led India in 12 T20Is – with the team going on to win 11 of them.