IND vs NZ

After New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj (4/17) and Arshdeep Singh (4/37) produced the sensational bowling performances and scalped four wickets four wickets each to bowl out Black Caps for 160 despite fighting half-centuries by Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips

Black Caps were in a comfortable position with Conway and Phillips going strong but as soon as that partnership was broken it was a procession as both Siraj and Arshdeep had excellent outings with the ball especially at death overs. After New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, it was who Arshdeep provided India with an early breakthrough, packing Finn Allen for 3 in the second over of the innings.

Suryakumar's efforts meant that the other Indian batters struggling to get going was hid under the carpet. Barring Suryakumar, all other Indian batters made 69 off 69 balls, which was a reminder yet again of how over dependent they are on the star right-hander.

On a sluggish pitch where almost all Indian batters found it tough to time the ball, Suryakumar, the world's top-ranked T20I batter, hit 11 fours and seven sixes all over the park in his trademark 360-degree style at a whopping strike-rate of 217.65 to be unbeaten on 111 off 51 balls.

Now, ace India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin explained that why Dravid and other members of the support staff have taken the break, citing the mental and physical fatigue while preparing for a marquee tournament like the recent Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Williamson also felt that the young players in the Indian T20I set-up will be big stars in future. "I've got no doubt they all will be big players for India. I've seen them all in the IPL over the years. Incredible amount of talent and some real star players there who have played for India.

Both India and New Zealand, the losing semi-finalists from the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia, are on the road to rebuild for the T20 World Cup 2024 through the three-match T20I series, which began with an abandonment without a ball being bowled at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Friday due to persistent rain.

As per the weather forecast for Wellington, there was 90-100 per cent rain forecasted during the match time, which led to covers remaining on the pitch all the time. Though rain stopped for a few minutes, it came back again, heavier than it was, leading to players indulging in a session of football-volleyball indoors.

With stand-in head coach VVS Laxman insisting that the Hardik Pandya-led side, without many regular stars, will be looking to play fearless and flexible cricket during the series, it also kickstarts the road towards the 2024 T20 World Cup. After going out of the tournament in the Super 12 stage in 2021, India's adopted an ultra-attacking approach with the bat, which gave them results in the bilateral series.

Apart from Rohit, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have also been rested from the entire tour of New Zealand. Rishabh Pant, who has already led India before, has been appointed as the vice-captain for both legs of the tour. The likes of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson will have a chance to impress once again in the absence of the senior Indian players.