After Sri Lanka and Australia, India have a third new opponent this month as they head to New Zealand for the start of what is a tour comprising ODIs and Tests aside from the T20Is. With a very short turnover time between the two series, India's major challenge in the first couple of matches at least will be acclimatising to the conditions. New Zealand return after a hectic Test series in Australia but are bosses at home in their backyard and will pose a stiff challenge despite the absence of key players due to injury.
Watch out for:
KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been in outstanding form for India in limited-overs cricket and with Rishabh Pant sidelined as keeper for the final ODI against Australia, India might well be seeing Rahul as their T20 keeper. In 36 T20Is, Rahul has 1237 runs at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 146.39.
England and South Africa at it again
With the third Test match tilting England's way, South Africa have the arduous task of stopping the visitors without their premier pacer, Kagiso Rabada, who was banned for shouting at ..well, the stumps. Anyway, with Faf du Plessis forgetting how to bat and Vernon Philander focused on his post-retirement plans, England seem favourites to win this 3-1.
Watch out for:
Ollie Pope
The 22-year old is highly rated in county cricket and showed just why at Port Elizabeth as he hit a superb hundred even with the Proteas bowlers hitting a good line and length. Pope unfurled a series of outrageous strokes at St George's Park and is looking to cement his position in the Test side. He already has a century in his kitty and will be backing himself to get another at the Wanderers.
Bangladesh in Pakistan
No Shakib Al Hasan, no Mushfiqur Rahim, but Bangladesh are in Pakistan for a split up series with the first set comprising of T20Is. The Bangladesh Premier League threw up a lot of local talent this year but as usual, Bangladesh have preferred their average stars with their senior pros absent - one banned and the other opting out of the tour. If they need confidence, the fact that Sri Lanka beat Pakistan at home with a depleted second-string side should do the trick.
Watch out for:
Mohammad Amir
Retired from Tests to focus on limited-overs cricket, Mohammad Amir showed that his decision was sound in the first qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League when he snared a six-wicket haul. An economical, yet wicket-taking bowler, Amir will be banked upon to stifle Bangladesh, particularly having played against and with a few of them in the league.
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Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Saeed Khan
