IND vs NZ: India playing XI vs New Zealand, Match 21, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Predicted

India will face New Zealand in match No. 21 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Team India have been superb so far in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. They have dominated every opponent they have faced in this tournament. Starting with a comprehensive win over Australia and a thumping win against Bangladesh, they have won all four games so far. But their next challenge will be against the table-toppers.

India will face New Zealand, who have also won all of their games so far in this tournament. Thus, it will be a massive game of cricket. But India will be without Hardik Pandya, who has been ruled out due to an injury, and so it will be a tough choice for the management. So let's check out the predicted playing XI for India against New Zealand.

IND vs NZ: India's Predicted playing XI vs New Zealand

1. Rohit Sharma (C) :

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been in tremendous form and is the most dangerous opener so far in this tournament. He has scored 265 runs in four games at an average of 66.25 and an impressive strike rate of 137.30, which is the highest in the tournament. He will be looking to carry on and give India a good start to take them to victory.

2. Shubman Gill :

After missing out in the first two games, Shubman Gill played the last two matches, and it didn't look like he suffered from dengue and was unwell. Gill struck a brilliant half-century against Bangladesh and has scored 69 runs in two innings. He will be looking to do what he does best, which is play big innings. He scored an ODI double hundred against Kiwis a few months ago.

3. Virat Kohli :

The crisis man Virat Kohli has been in superb form and is coming off a brilliant unbeaten hundred in a chase against Bangladesh. He has been superb this tournament and has scored 259 runs in four innings at an average and strike rate of 129.50 and 90.24, respectively. He will be a massive player for India, and a lot will depend on him.

4. Shreyas Iyer :

Shreyas Iyer is another player who has looked good but hasn't had much chance because the top-order are doing the bulk of the scoring. He will look to add some more runs to his tally and play a good knock to get into rhythm.

5. KL Rahul :

KL Rahul has been brilliant in the middle-order, and his form is one of the reasons that this batting line-up is one of the strongest in this competition. He has scored 150 runs in four innings and hasn't been dismissed yet. But without Hardik, his role will be very important, and we might see him playing more sensibly for the team.

6. Suryakumar Yadav:

Without Hardik, we might see Suryakumar Yadav getting a game. With the position India are in this tournament, they can do some experiments. Suryakumar can provide them with the X-factor with the bat and can play shots at all parts of the ground, which can put pressure on the bowlers. His presence on the crease will be challenging for the opponent bowlers, which is why he is expected to get a nod in the playing XI.

7. Ravindra Jadeja :

Ravindra Jadeja hasn't batted so far, but it looks like he might get a chance against New Zealand. But his prime role will be to provide India wickets in the middle-overs, which he has done so far. Jadeja has taken seven wickets in four innings at an economy rate of just 3.75, which is brilliant. He will look to do something similar and take India to victory.

8. Jasprit Bumrah :

Jasprit Bumrah will be at No. 8, but he will be the biggest threat for New Zealand, not with the bat but with the ball, for sure. The ace pacer has been excellent so far. He has taken ten wickets in four games. He can run through Kiwi batting-order and will be the biggest threat for them.

9. Kuldeep Yadav :

Kuldeep Yadav is another Indian bowler in great form. He has been among the wickets in the middle-overs, which is why India have been so successful. Kuldeep has taken six wickets so far at an economy rate of 4.10. It will be tough for Kiwi bowlers to face him, and he can extract purchases from the pitch.

10. Mohammed Shami :

Mohammed Shami is expected to get a game, as India will miss Hardik. Shami will be a challenge in Dharamsala that offers help for the pacers, and overcast conditions will also be helpful. Shami seam position and line make him very hard to play.

11. Mohammed Siraj :

Mohammed Siraj has gone for runs in this tournament but has taken crucial wickets. Siraj has taken five wickets, but on the pitch where he will get help, he will look to take wickets for India and make an impact.