FANTASY
Follow UsIndia will take on New Zealand in the third and final T20I at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1). The Black Caps got the better of India in the first T20I but the home side somehow managed to level the series in Lucknow. The reason why we have used the term ‘somehow’ is because it took India 19.5 overs to chase down a target of just 100. Indian skipper Hardik Pandya went on to describe the Lucknow pitch as a "shocker". However, the conditions in Ahmedabad are expected to be a lot better.
Ground details
The Ahmedabad stadium hosted the entire five-match T20I series between India and England in 2021 and the batters here scored at an average of 32.1 and a scoring rate of 8.7, which tells you we will most likely get a good batting surface in the third T20I. The fast bowlers had slightly better numbers in that series - economy 8.4 and strike rate 21.9 - compared to spinners (8.8 and 26.1 respectively). Even in IPL since 2021, this venue has served well to the batters.
Suggested teams
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
For small leagues: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Devon Conway (vice-capt)
For grand leagues: Hardik Pandya (capt), Mitchell Santner (vice-capt)
Stats that matter
It was at this very venue where Suryakumar Yadav made his debut for India in 2021. The right-hander slammed 57 off 31 deliveries and hasn’t looked back since then. 1651 runs at an average of 47.17 and a strike rate of 175.63, do we need to say more? He got 47 off 34 in the first T20I and then scored a man-of-the-match worth 26* to take India home in Lucknow.
315 runs @ 39.38 and a strike rate of 141.9, Devon Conway has a pretty good record in India when it comes to T20s. The left-handed opener is good against pace and spin and could also fetch you points from behind the stumps.
Glenn Phillips has been a consistent batter for New Zealand in this format but his record in India isn’t great. The right-hander has only managed 67 runs in seven T20Is at an average of 11.17 and a strike rate of 97.1 and these are his worst numbers in any country. He has been dismissed four times by a spinner and averages just 6.75 against them in India.
Grand league punts
Hardik Pandya knows a thing or two about this stadium. It was at this very venue where Pandya led Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in their very first year. The all-rounder first took three wickets and then scored an unbeaten 34. He is a clutch player and averages 42 at a strike rate of 180.7 in deciders. Oh, he also has eight wickets at a strike rate of 21.
Mitchell Santner loves bowling in India. The left-arm spinner has 17 wickets in this country at a strike rate of 17.2 and an economy rate of 6.2. On top of that, he is also a handy batter down the order.
Probable XIs
India - Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal/Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand - Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner/Ben Lister.
