India and New Zealand gearing up to lock horns with each other for the three-match T20I series followed by as many ODIs. The series begins on Friday, November 18 where the Men in Blue will be led by Hardik Pandya in the absence of Rohit Sharma. With bigwigs (Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli) of the Indian team given a rest, the Hardik-led Indian team will play with a team brimming over with young blood.
Ahead of the T20I series, the two captains Hardik and Williamson shared a ride and peddled along on a crocodile bike in Wellington. The two captains seemed to casually exult in the ride while having a chat.
Here's the video..
This is Hardik’s first task he is assigned to undertake as a captain as he is touted to be the next T20I captain succeeding weary Rohit Sharma and relieving him of his captaincy duties from T20I. The acid test awaits Hardik Pandya who will have to prove his mettle and mirror his leadership in the IPL on the international scene too. Hardik although will be captaining a side divested of some of the greats of the game, he underlined the fact that more players will get chances to play for the national side and make a strong case for themselves.
Hardik addressed the media on Wednesday ahead of the first game on Friday.
"Absolutely. As you said, a lot of the main guys are not here but at the same time, the players who are here have also been playing for India for a good amount of 1-1.5 years, even they have had ample chances, and enough time in international cricket to express themselves and showcase what they have. Very excited for them, new bunch and new energy," Hardik said.
India’s T20I Squad: Hardik Pandya (C), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
New Zealand’s T20I Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner.
