New Zealand vs India 1st T20I: Wellington Pitch Report, Team India’s Record at Sky Stadium

Moreover, New Zealand vs India 1st T20I: The Indian men are set to face New Zealand on Friday (November 18) at 12:00 PM. It’s the first match of the three-match T20 International series and will be played at the Sky Stadium in Wellington (New Zealand). The Sky Stadium was also known as Westpac Stadium.

New Zealand, in the T20 World Cup 2022, were ruled out after the semi-final loss. The side is aiming for a restart with the India series.

India too, after indeed a disappointing run in the 2022 T20 World Cup edition, are here in New Zealand. The side will be looking for a rebuild under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

As New Zealand vs India contest is at the edge, here’s the pitch report and more, from Wellington.

New Zealand vs India 1st T20I: Wellington Pitch Report, Team India’s Record at Sky Stadium

It’s a batting pitch at the Sky Stadium to say, but is better suited for pacers, as almost all the Kiwi pitches do.

Moreover, based on the last five T20 games played at the venue, the average first innings score has been around 169, and the average total score varied around 156. 60% of the toss-winning captains opted to bowl first. Although, 60% of the teams won the game while batting first.

Until now, the Sky Stadium has hosted 15 T20Is. However, India have played only two T20Is at this particular venue. To demonstrate, here is a table explaining the team India’s record at the Sky Stadium, ahead of the New Zealand vs India clash.

Team India’s record at Sky Stadium:

No.	Match	Result	Year
1	India vs New Zealand	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	2009
2	India vs New Zealand	New Zealand won by 80 runs	2019
3	India vs New Zealand	India won the Super Over	2020

India hire Pandya as leader; VVS Laxman to work as stand-in coach

The Indian seniors Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and the regular coach Rahul Dravid have been rested for the New Zealand tour. Pandya will lead the ‘men in blue’ away from home for the second time in T20Is.

Besides, the second game of the T20I series will be played on November 20, and the third one on November 22. Mount Maunganui and Napier will host the T20Is respectively.

Further, India will then step into the three-match ODI series on November 25. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side in the first game in Auckland. After that in Hamilton on November 27, and finally in Christchurch on November 30.