India vs New Zealand T20I series: Kane Williamson bats for Umran Malik

Following the T20 World Cup debacle in Australia, Hardik Pandya-led Team India will begin a three-match T20I series against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand later this week.

Top players like Virat Kohli and regular captain Rohit Sharma have been given rest from this series. Meanwhile, youngsters like pacer Umran Malik, batter Shubman Gill and wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan will make a comeback for the T20 series.

Last IPL was a great tournament for New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson’s Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Malik. The rookie pacer had picked up 22 wickets from 14 matches at an average of just 22.5 with a career-best haul of 5/25 in the last edition of the mega event. Malik’s brilliant show helped him find a place in the Indian team.

“Umran is a great talent. It is wonderful seeing him in international cricket now. I have high hopes from him now that he has been selected for the India squad for this upcoming series,” Williamson said during a media interaction on Tuesday, ahead of the India vs New Zealand series.

Notably, both India and New Zealand bowed out of T20 World Cup campaign after suffering losses from England and Pakistan in their respective semifinal matches.

India tour of New Zealand 2022 full schedule

November 18: 1st T20I at Wellington Regional Stadium

November 20: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

November 22: 3rd T20I at McLean Park, Napier

November 25: 1st ODI at Eden Park, Auckland

November 27: 2nd ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton

November 30: 3rd ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch