India vs New Zealand, T20I series: Top three players to watch out for

After both India and New Zealand got knocked out in the semi-finals of the 20-20 World Cup 2022, pressure will be on all the players to prove a point. With many of the big boys given some rest, Hardik Pandya will have an enormous responsibility on his shoulder to bring back India into winning ways while the Kiwis can try multiple new players in order to begin their preparation for the ninth edition of the marquee tournament in 2024.

Thus, few of the players will have a massive opportunity to prove themselves and get into the primary squad of their respective countries but with immense pressure, can everyone prove their potential? Here’s a list of three players who can change the game and make a mark in the bi-lateral series -

3 players to look out for in the IND vs NZ series:

3. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has done remarkably well as a captain in the Indian T20 League. He led his team to glory in their very first season and when it comes to his individual performance, the 29-year-old likes to lead by example.

In 79 T20Is so far, the finisher scored 1117 runs at an impressive strike rate of 146.39. He can perform under pressure and did exactly that for India in the 20-20 World Cup. He currently is on song and if he manages to keep up with the form, Hardik Pandya can smash any bowler out of the park. In the smaller grounds there, he can actually uplift India’s batting. Even as a bowler, he proved himself to be a bowler who can bowl at any given position.

2. Glenn Phillips

The 25-year-old dashing Kiwi batter has played remarkably well in the 20-20 World Cup. The middle-order batter smashed a brilliant century against Sri Lanka and also scored an important half-century against England.

However, the player couldn’t take his team to the finals of the competition and thus, will be hungry to help New Zealand get a series win against the Men in Blue. In 54 T20Is that the player has played so far, he scored 1295 runs at a strike rate of 147.32. Thus, he is definitely someone who can threaten the Indian bowlers and that’s what makes him a player to watch out for.

1. Suryakumar Yadav

The flamboyant Suryakumar Yadav is currently the number one-ranked T20I batter in the world. He has proved himself in almost every bilateral series and most importantly, has done remarkably well in the 20-20 World Cup.

In just 40 T20Is, the 32-year-old has scored 1284 runs at a staggering strike rate of 179.07. In the smaller grounds of New Zealand, he can prove himself to be extremely dangerous and will be India’s best bat in the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli up in the order.