India pick three keepers, Pandya brothers and opt to field in 1st T20I

For the first time, India have fielded three specialist wicket-keepers in their playing XI in a T20I. MS Dhoni will take the gloves, Rishabh Pant is slotted to bat at No. 3 in place of regular captain Virat Kohli, who has been rested. Dinesh Karthik will play the role of a finisher at No. 6.

India's stand-in captain Rohit Sharma called it right and elected to field first against New Zealand in the first T20I at Wellington on Wednesday. 

For the first time, India have fielded three specialist wicket-keepers in their playing XI in a T20I. MS Dhoni will take the gloves, Rishabh Pant is slotted to bat at No. 3 in place of regular captain Virat Kohli, who has been rested. Dinesh Karthik will play the role of a finisher at No. 6.

The other big news is obviously the presence of Pandya brothers. Hardik and Krunal became the first brothers after Irfan and Yusuf Pathan to play for India together. The surprise inclusion was of all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who impressed with his patient batting in the final ODI at the same venue. 

Sticking to their combination of playing only one wrist spinner in T20Is, India decided to play Yuzvendra Chahal. 

"We have had a good record chasing. Gives us another opportunity to see how well we can bat second. Looks like a good pitch, as we saw in the game earlier so we are looking to set a target," said Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have handed debut to all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.

"A new squad brings some freshness. Every time you get an opportunity to represent your country is a great one this is a great opportunity against a fantastic opposition so we are looking forward to a really good series ahead," said Williamson.

Teams

India(Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Kane Williamson (c), Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.