On the eve of the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I match, the Indian team dressing room had a surprise visitor in the form of former India captain MS Dhoni. India is scheduled to play their 1st T20 match against the Blackcaps at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, which is MSD’s hometown. Probably MS Dhoni would have thought since the team is in his home state, he should drop in for a few words of wisdom before the all-important T20I series. 

India has already claimed the ODI series by a scoreline of 3-0 and reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI team rankings. India plays the first T20 international match against New Zealand on January 27 at Ranchi. India will be led by Hardik Pandya and New Zealand by Mitchell Santner. India will try to start the T20I campaign against the Kiwis with a win on Friday. 

The new-look Indian T20I side led by Pandya has already defeated Sri Lanka a few weeks ago by 2-1. The team will be high on confidence but the Kiwis pose a different challenge than Sri Lanka and they will be wary of the threats. If India can win the T20I series against New Zealand then they will consolidate their position at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I team rankings.