India were never a settled unit since Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid took over from Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. They continued experiments until the ICC World Cup and couldn’t identify players for certain roles, resulting in India’s elimination from the tournament’s semi-final.
The management started with Dinesh Karthik as a wicket-keeper and then went with Rishabh Pant in the last few games leading to a confusing situation.
With India due to take on New Zealand in a three-match T20I series, a lot of young players are likely to be included in the Playing XI, with seniors Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul not part of the squad.
Former India player Wasim Jaffer feels Rishabh Pant should open the batting for the Men in Blue.
“Pant has batted at No. 4 or No. 5 even for the Delhi Capitals, but those places are with SKY and Hardik in Team India. If he gets going, Pant can be a dangerous player. His best position is to open the innings,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo ahead of the 1st T20I between India and New Zealand.
Wasim Jaffer’s Indian XI for 1st T20I vs New Zealand
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh