Here are our fantasy picks for the second T20I between New Zealand and India (4:44)
New Zealand v India, 2nd T20I, Auckland
Our XI: KL Rahul (wk), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja*, Yuzvendra Chahal
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant) updates.
Captain: KL Rahul
Rahul has been in red-hot form in limited-overs cricket for a while now, and it continued in the first T20I as he raced to a 27-ball 56. No reason to look anywhere else yet, irrespective of whether India bat first or second.
Vice-captain: Virat Kohli
Kohli was also among the runs in his first-ever T20I on the New Zealand soil, although it was a rare chase when he didn’t see the side home. Kohli still averages 52.57 in T20Is, and if India chase once again, you could consider slotting him in as captain too.
Hot picks
Kane Williamson
Williamson found his hitting range, moved up a few gears and made full use of the angles and short boundaries at Eden Park during his 26-ball 51 in the first game. It was only his second fifty at the ground from ten innings, but he looks in solid hitting form on his return to the national side.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Outside of Jasprit Bumrah, Chahal (along with Shivam Dube) had the best economy rate among all the bowlers who bowled in the first T20I. As much as the run-saving, he brings proven wicket-taking ability to your side, and is always a chance at a ground where batsmen are going hell for leather from the get-go. The only specialist bowler in our line-up.
Colin Munro
Munro relishes playing in New Zealand, where his numbers are world-class: an average of 35.30 and a strike rate of 172.75. True to form, he smashed a brisk fifty at the top of the order. Another potential vice-captain option, especially if New Zealand bat first. Munro is also tagged as an “allrounder” on fantasy platforms thanks to his part-time bowling abilities, so he could help fill another hole too.
Value picks
Ross Taylor
Taylor hasn’t exactly been a T20I run-scoring beast, partly due to where he bats in the order, and made his first T20I half-century in six years on Friday. Not surprisingly, he comes on the cheap on fantasy platforms. Taylor is a vital cog in New Zealand’s middle order along with Williamson, and with short legside boundaries, you can always back him to smoke a few into the upper tiers.
Shreyas Iyer
The star of India’s win in the first T20I, Iyer defied a mini-slump in form that saw him get out early through the latter half of India’s home season. His timely big hits ensured India chased down 204 with a full over to spare. Form is everything in T20 cricket, and at the same ground where he won his first Player-of-the-Match award for India two days ago, you should continue to back him.
Points to note
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India are likely to sweat over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness after he injured his ankle during his final over in the first T20I. Watch out for team news and pick him in your XI (we would replace Ravindra Jadeja with him) if he is selected in the playing XI.
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Eden Park has produced high-scoring duels in T20Is over the years, and Monday was no different. Therefore, our XI includes as many as ten men who can bat (nine if Bumrah comes in). If you decide to go with an additional New Zealand player, we’d recommend Ish Sodhi.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo