NZ vs IND: Why is Sanju Samson Not Playing Today’s New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I Match?

Sanju Samson NZ vs IND: In an important news update, India are once again not playing Sanju Samson in the third and final T20I encounter against New Zealand scheduled to be contested at the McLean Park in Napier. India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series with a pretty comprehensive 65-run win against New Zealand during the second game. The first match of the series unfortunately got washed out in Wellington.

NZ vs IND: Why is Sanju Samson Not Playing Today’s New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I Match?

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, India captain Hardik Pandya stated that there is still no place for Sanju Samson in the playing 11 for this 3rd T20I match against New Zealand. The right-hander has been quite unlucky in the recent times as he sat out in the second T20I match as well and was not part of the India T20I squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Even after performing really well during the previous home ODI series against South Africa, India have picked the likes of Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Hooda ahead of him in the playing XI. The Men in Blue have made just a single change to their side with Harshal Patel replacing Washington Sundar.

“We wanted to bowl first anyway, so we got what we wanted. I think the pitch will remain the same for the entire 40 overs, but with the grass on it, there could be some lateral movement for our pacers. We do keep the dimensions in mind, but we do the skill-set in our bowling line-up. We can’t think too much about the conditions – One change, Harshal comes in place of Washington Sundar,” said Indian captain Hardik Pandya during the toss.

IND Playing 11

1. Ishan Kishan
2. Rishabh Pant (wk)
3. Shreyas Iyer
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Deepak Hooda
6. Hardik Pandya (C)
7. Harshal Patel
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
9. Mohammed Siraj
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Playing XI update ?

One change for #TeamIndia as Harshal Patel comes in place of Washington Sundar

Follow the match ? https://t.co/rUlivZ2sj9 pic.twitter.com/CneSI2LLK5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2022

India vs New Zealand Schedule