January 24, 2020 
06:50 
New Zealand vs India 1st T20I Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 10/01/2020
India will start their hectic tour of New Zealand with five T20I matches against the Black Caps.
Three more ODIs and two Test matches will follow in what looks like an intriguing series.
New Zealand could provide a difficult test for Virat Kohli’s men as they get back to home comforts following recent disappointment in Australia.
India should be full of confidence, however, after a comeback ODI series success against Australia and a T20I series win over Sri Lanka.
This first T20I is likely to set the tone for what will follow both for this series and the upcoming T20 World Cup later this year.
New Zealand vs India 1st T20I – Match Preview
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: Friday 24th January
Start Time: 12:20 (IST), 06:50 (GMT)
New Zealand vs India 1st T20I – Latest Odds
India are made short-priced favourites to take an early lead in the series. They can be backed at 1.50 (1/2) with bet365 to bag the win at Eden Park.
New Zealand are available at 2.63 (11/8) to start with a bang back at home.
New Zealand vs India 1st T20I – Team News
India have been hit with the news that Shikhar Dhawan will miss the T20 clashes in New Zealand after picking up a shoulder injury.
The visitors should be able to manage his absence with Rohit Sharma back in the T20 squad and KL Rahul in fine form.
Mohammad Shami is also in contention along with Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur. Sanju Samson has not been included in the squad.
India have also taken a wealth of spin options out to New Zealand with them. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav have all kept their places in the squad.
New Zealand have more injury issues than India and have turned to Hamish Bennett to help limit the damage.
He comes in due to injuries to Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.
Also out through injury are the likes of Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Seth Rance, Doug Bracewell and Will Young.
New Zealand vs India 1st T20I – Betting Tips and Prediction
India look in fine limited-overs form at present and should be in good heart after recent wins over Australia and Sri Lanka.
They could prove too much for this depleted New Zealand team as long as the quick turnaround between their previous game hasn’t left its mark.
That said, they aren’t an attractive betting proposition at the prices.
If anything, it is New Zealand that offer some value due to them playing in familiar conditions. Their injury list is a concern but 2.63 (11/8) should also be of interest.
There is also some value to be found in the top team batsman and top team bowler markets for Auckland.
KL Rahul to maintain impressive form
KL Rahul has been impressive for India across both T20I and ODI formats recently.
Even a shift down the order and being handed the wicketkeeper role midway through the Australia series didn’t stop him bagging more runs.
He was in fine form against the West Indies, kept up those standards against Sri Lanka and Australia and doesn’t look like slowing down now.
With the injury to Dhawan he can also take advantage of most likely playing higher in the order again.
He is priced at 4.00 (3/1) with bet365 to be India’s top batsman and it’s a price that looks decent value. Once again, Virat Kohli heads that market at 3.50 (5/2).
As for New Zealand, it could be worth a bet on Tim Seifert in this one.
The wicketkeeper-batsman did well against England coming in at three and four and can score quick runs again here.
His 39 in 16 balls in the final T20I against England also came at Eden Park. He also came out for the super over that day too.
He is available at 5.50 (9/2) with bet365 to top-score for the hosts.
Saini to continue progress
Navdeep Saini took his chance in the Sri Lanka T20 series and can build on that here.
The pace bowler looked a big threat when last in action and could more of an unknown quantity to the New Zealand batsmen.
He can be backed to be India’s top wicket-taker at 5.00 (5/1) with bet365.
Best Bet: KL Rahul to be India’s top batsman at 4.00 (3/1) with bet365
