Ind vs NZ, 1st T20, preview and prediction: Here is what to expect when World No 5, India, will meet the ICC table toppers

The men-in-blue led by the 'run-machine of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli will face their toughest test against New Zealand when they will go head to head with New Zealand in three-match T20 International series starting from 1 November.

Virat Kohli's boys are high spirited with their win over New Zealand in the last match by six runs. But the next challenge is going to be way tough then the recently concluded ODI series because the men-in-blue have not won any match against Kiwi team in last 10 years. Between 2007 to 2017, 6 international matches have been played between both the teams, out of which New Zealand have won 5 matches, while one match was called off.

Incidentally, all those matches were played in the captaincy of Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Currently in The International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking for T20, team India is at the 5th spot while the New Zealand team is at the top spot. The Kiwi team had shown strength in the ODI series against Virat Kohli's boys that's why the series will be more interesting. The first T20 match is most crucial because the whichever team will win the match they have an upper hand in the series. Players of both teams are well aware about the weaknesses of other players that makes it more important.

The match is also going to be last international match of Indian pacer Ashish Nehra, so it is pretty obvious the fans would like to see him in action. But if the facts are anything to consider, then it is highly unlikely that Virat Kohli will give up his death over bowlers and pick Ashish Nehra.

The explosive opener Rohit Sharma and the 'run machine' of Indian team Virat Kohli would take the charges of batting. Apart from Rohit and Virat, Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya are there to back Indian bowlers with their phenomenal performance. The Indian bowling would be dominated with the presence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Other than that spinner Axar Patel and captain's favourite Yuzvendra Chahal can also show their magic.

When it comes to Kiwi team then, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham are in the perfect form of their career. Other than that recently recalled Ross Taylor can also show his magic to the audience. In bowling, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner will play a crucial role in the first T20.

Both the teams are totally balanced and the match can go either way. The Kiwi batter Tom Latham had already shown his caliber with his performance that he can crack Indian spinners, yet the Indian team is favourites.

Squads:

Indian Cricket Team

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Ashish Nehra and Mohammed Siraj.

New Zealand Cricket Team

Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin De Grandhomme, Henry Nicholls, Mitchel Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tom Latham, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee.

The first match will be played on 1 November at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.