India v New Zealand T20I combined XI: Who joins Suryakumar Yadav and Glenn Phillips?

AMEY KULKARNI selects a combined XI ahead of the three-match T20I series between India and New Zealand

Finn Allen

567 runs at 22.68, 163.40 strike rate (one century, two half-centuries)

Finn Allen is an explosive top-order batter who is well known for getting anyone he plays for off to a flying start. Since making his T20I debut in 2021, he has maintained a strike rate in excess of 160. Last year, he scored his first international century, hitting 101 off 56 balls against Scotland.

Ishan Kishan

629 runs at 27.34, 127.84 strike rate (four half-centuries)

His T20I record might not set the world alight, but the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter is currently in red-hot form - he recently took apart Bangladesh's bowling attack with a double-hundred in an ODI. As for his IPL record, that reads 1,551 runs in 55 innings, with a strike rate of 133.

Glenn Phillips

1,361 runs at 33.19, 148.25 strike rate (two centuries, eight half-centuries)

A top-order batter, Glenn Phillips is one of the most destructive scorers in world cricket. He smashed a century against Sri Lanka at the recent T20 World Cup, finishing the tournament with 201 runs at a strike rate of 158.26 in five innings. Could take the gloves in this side.

^{Hardik Pandya [Cameron Spencer/Getty Images]}

Suryakumar Yadav

1,578 runs at 46.41, 180.34 strike rate (three centuries, 13 half-centuries)

A hard-hitting, 360-degree batter, Suryakumar Yadav has taken the cricketing world by storm in the past 12 months with his consistent hitting. In 31 T20Is in 2022, he averaged 45.56 and scored 1,164 runs at a strike rate of 187.43 (two centuries, nine half-centuries). And he's started 2023 with a bang, scoring 170 runs at a strike rate of 175.25 in three T20Is against Sri Lanka.

Hardik Pandya (c)

1,205 runs at 25.10, 143.96 strike rate (three half-centuries); 64 wickets, 8.22 economy

The explosive finisher has improved his batting average since recovering from injury, making several handy contributions at the recent T20 World Cup - he scored 128 runs at a strike rate of 131.95. The seam-bowling allrounder also picked up eight wickets in Australia and has a reputation as a bowler who makes things happen. He has also impressed with his leadership skills over the past 12 months, steering Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022.

Michael Bracewell

90 runs at 30, 183.67 strike rate (one half-century); 17 wickets, 9.82 economy

After a late introduction to international cricket, Michael Bracewell has had an impressive start to his career. He has played some incredible knocks for the Black Caps, perhaps most notably when he came in at No.7 in the first ODI between these two sides and crunched 140 runs off 78 balls to nearly seal a remarkable win for his side. Opportunites with the bat have been few and far between on the T20I stage but one century and 13 half-centuries across his T20 career speaks for itself.

^{Mitchell Santner [Albert Perez/Getty Images]}

Mitchell Santner

491 runs at 16.93, 128.19 strike rate (one half-century); 89 wickets, 7.11 economy

The left-arm spinner is one of the best in his craft: last year, he picked up 23 wickets in 18 T20Is at a miserly economy rate of 6.63. A consistent performer and a regular member of New Zealand's T20I plans since making his debut in 2015.

Kuldeep Yadav

44 wickets, 6.89 economy

Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, has found his mojo against over the past few weeks. In five ODIs in 2023, he has taken 11 wickets, while his career T20I record - 44 wickets in 24 innings and an economy of 6.89 - is not to be sniffed at. Has good variations up his sleeve and controls his length well. Pips Yuzvendra Chahal thanks to his economy.

Lockie Ferguson

41 wickets, 7.36 economy

The right-arm quick is one of the top fast bowlers in the world. Starting his T20I career for New Zealand in 2017, the pacer has performed consistently well for the Black Caps and last year, he picked up 16 wickets while maintaining an economy of 7.65. Ferguson has a great slower ball as well as a bouncer, which should keep batters guessing.

^{Arshdeep Singh [Kerry Marshall/Getty Images]}

Umran Malik

9 wickets, 10.90 economy

Young right-armer Umran Malik burst onto the scene in the IPL, picking up 24 wickets in his first 17 outings for Sunrisers Hyderabad - including 22 in 14 matches last season to finish fourth in the overall wicket-taking charts. Malik has surprised batters with his raw pace and aggression and has been rewarded with international call-ups, picking up 13 wickets in eight ODIs and nine wickets in six T20Is.

Arshdeep Singh

36 wickets, 8.41 economy

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh can swing the ball both ways at the start and can also nail his yorkers in the death overs - the perfect player to bookend an innings. Arshdeep was the highest taker for India at the 2022 T20 World Cup, taking 10 wickets in six games, and picked up 33 T20I wickets overall in 2022.