New Delhi: The Men in Blue will be taking on the Blackcaps starting from Friday in a three-match T20I series, followed by ODIs. Hardik Pandya will be leading the side against New Zealand. Hardik was spotted chatting with the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, as both skippers were seen enjoying a "crocodile bike" ride in Wellington. Senior guys like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul have been rested for this tour.
Ahead of the first T20I, Hardik spoke to the media and said this series is a great opportunity for youngsters to show their potential.
"Absolutely. As you said, a lot of the main guys are not here but at the same time, the players who are here have also been playing for India for a good amount of 1-1.5 years, even they have had ample chances, and enough time in international cricket to express themselves and showcase what they have. Very excited for them, new bunch and new energy, Hardik stated.
Earlier, the Indian team lost the semi-final match against England in the recently passed T20 World Cup that took place in Australia.
India squad: Hardik Pandya (C), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk), W Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik.