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    HomeSportsIndia's predicted playing XI for the 4th T20I vs New Zealand ft....

    India’s predicted playing XI for the 4th T20I vs New Zealand ft. Varun Chakaravarthy & Axar Patel

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    Team India will face off against New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Vizag on Wednesday, January 28. The Men in Blue hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

    India have been open about their policy of resting and rotating in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy were left out in the last game, and similar changes are expected in the fourth T20I as well.

    India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer.

    On that note, here is India’s predicted playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand.

    Openers: Sanju Samson (wk) and Abhishek Sharma

    Cricket: Australia v India - 5th T20I - Source: GettyCricket: Australia v India - 5th T20I - Source: Getty
    Cricket: Australia v India – 5th T20I – Source: Getty

    Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will continue opening the batting for India, but whether this will be the combination heading into the T20 World Cup remains to be seen. The latter is out of runs and desperately needs a score if he is to keep his place in the side.

    Middle Order: Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube

    Asia Cup Cricket - Source: GettyAsia Cup Cricket - Source: Getty
    Asia Cup Cricket – Source: Getty

    Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, both in stellar form, will round off the top four. Following that, India could see a change or two.

    Hardik Pandya has featured in all three matches thus far and could be rested for the fourth T20I against New Zealand. Axar Patel has reportedly recovered from the finger injury he sustained during the series opener and could replace him in the playing XI.

    Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube will feature, with the latter perhaps having a bigger role with the ball in Hardik’s absence.

    Lower Order: Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav

    India v Pakistan - Asia Cup Final - Source: GettyIndia v Pakistan - Asia Cup Final - Source: Getty
    India v Pakistan – Asia Cup Final – Source: Getty

    Earlier in the series, it was mentioned on air that Bumrah would play the third and fifth matches. If he is rested in Vizag, Arshdeep Singh could return to the XI, with Harshit Rana holding on to his place as his pace partner.

    Ravi Bishnoi bowled splendidly in the previous game, but he isn’t part of the T20 World Cup squad. India’s priority will be to have Kuldeep Yadav in the best of form for the important competition, so Varun Chakaravarthy could replace Bishnoi in the side as he returns from a rest.