Ishan Kishan to Bat at No. 3, Shreyas Iyer Out: India’s Probable Playing XI for 1st T20 vs New Zealand

Nagpur, January 21, 2026: India is set to face New Zealand in the first match of the five-game T20 International series today at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. Following their recent defeat in the ODI series, India aims to bounce back under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, with this series also serving as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Ishan Kishan Secures No. 3 Spot
In the absence of Tilak Varma, India’s management has confirmed that Ishan Kishan will bat at number three. Consequently, Shreyas Iyer will miss out on the playing XI. Kishan’s impressive domestic form and his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad have earned him this opportunity.

Opening and Middle Order
The opening pair is likely to feature Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper) alongside Abhishek Sharma. Samson, who opened against South Africa in his previous match, scored 37 runs and is expected to get an extended run at the top. The middle order will include Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Akshar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dubey. Pandya, returning from injury, and Dubey will add balance as all-rounders, though Pandya’s bowling will be monitored closely.

Bowling Attack
Varun Chakravarthy is expected to replace Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department, following New Zealand’s success against Kuldeep in the recent ODI series. Jasprit Bumrah will once again lead the pace attack, supported by Arshdeep Singh.

India’s Probable Playing XI for 1st T20:
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Akshar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.

This setup aims to combine explosive batting with a balanced bowling attack as India looks to start the series on a strong note.