Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan's participation in this month's T20I series against New Zealand is in doubt.
Dhawan sustained a shoulder injury while fielding during Sunday's third and final ODI against Australia in Bengaluru. He consequently didn't open the batting.
He wasn't required at all, as India won the match by seven-wickets. The result gave the hosts a two-one series win. Dhawan's ribs were also hurt during the second ODI in Rajkot.
Who else for NZ T20Is besides Dhawan?
Batsman Rohit Sharma and seamer Mohammed Shami were named in the T20I squad for the series against New Zealand earlier this month. They had been rested for the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka. The squad also features wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who suffered concussion during the ODI series against Australia.
New Zealand and India will contest five T20Is between 24 January and 2 February. Three ODIs and two Tests will follow. The Black Caps have recalled fast bowler Hamish Bennett for the series.
“We're delighted to have Hamish back in the fold for what will be a huge series against India. Over the past few seasons he's consistently been one of the top domestic white-ball bowlers and we've been impressed how he's been able to evolve his game,” said selector Gavin Larsen.
“We all know he brings good pace and bounce but it's the clever variations he's added that make him such a well-rounded T20 bowler.
“The next few weeks will be really intense for our elite male cricketers and we're fully aware of the challenges ahead We're clearly wanting to win the series in front of us while also considering our wider ICC T20 World Cup campaign plan.”
The full tour will precede the Indian Premier League, Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in Australia. Bet365 have India priced at 4.50 to win the 2020 T20 World Cup. India won the World Twenty20 (since renamed the T20 World Cup) in South Africa in 2007. They beat Pakistan in that final. They have been pooled with England, South Africa, Afghanistan and two qualifying teams for the 2020 T20 World Cup.
India T20I squad for New Zealand tour: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur.
