With the series already secured at 3-0, India heads into the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, focusing on giving opportunities to key players like Sanju Samson. The match at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium offers a chance for rotations amid New Zealand's struggles.
India's T20I team arrives in Visakhapatnam for the fourth match against New Zealand on Wednesday, having clinched the five-match series with three consecutive wins. The game at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium marks the penultimate encounter, allowing India to experiment with their lineup.
Sanju Samson remains in the spotlight as the opener, having scored just 10, 6, and 0 in the previous three innings. His struggles against inswingers have been evident, but after an extended training session on Tuesday, he seeks to regain form. Captain Suryakumar Yadav may retain him at the top alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Injuries and rotations are on the cards. All-rounder Axar Patel, sidelined since a hand injury in the first T20I in Nagpur, returned to full nets on Tuesday and could replace Hardik Pandya, who has played all three games. Bowlers Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, who sat out the Guwahati match, are likely to return. Jasprit Bumrah might rest, paving the way for Harshit Rana.
India's predicted XI includes: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya/Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi/Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah/Harshit Rana.
New Zealand faces mounting pressure ahead of the T20 World Cup. Their batting has faltered, and bowling lacks bite. They plan to elevate in-form Daryl Mitchell higher in the order, possibly to open with Tim Seifert, replacing struggling Devon Conway. Rachin Ravindra might shift down, with Finn Allen, fresh from Big Bash League, set to join. Lockie Ferguson could be dropped for Jacob Duffy or Kyle Jamieson.
New Zealand's predicted XI: Daryl Mitchell/Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson/Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
Squads: India's includes Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (first three), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), and others. New Zealand's features Mitchell Santner (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and more.
