The talent is in plenty in this squad and if this machine runs smoothly, a sixth IPL trophy will be at touching distance for Thala and Co.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eager to grab a consolation win to boost their morale.
Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja admitted that they were short by 15-20 runs but lauded their disciplined bowling show in securing a convincing 28-run victory over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League match in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Images from the 1st ODI between India and New Zealand played in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
All about IPL 2025 which kicks off on March 22, Saturday.
Rayudu will team up with New Zealand players Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner, as well as Dwayne Bravo and David Miller, among others.
New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner has revealed how he responded perfectly to the Australian sledgers during the historic day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval.
With the win on Sunday, India won the three-match series 3-0 and Santner pointed out that New Zealand were good in patches and failed to get wickets upfront.
Hardik Pandya walked out with the scoreboard reading 99 for 4, and a daunting 222 to chase. The Wankhede was subdued, the Mumbai Indians innings gasping after SKY's stuttering knock. What followed was a spell of breathtaking power-hitting that nearly flipped the game -- and left the crowd in awe.
New Zealand will travel to England later this month to play four T20 and as many one-day internationals before heading to India for the ODI World Cup in October-November.
Steve Smith made 105, his 12th ODI century, to help Australia overcome a sluggish start
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will take over the captain's role for the first time in his career as regular skipper Kane Williamson continues to recover from a knee injury, and his deputy Tom Latham has been rested for the series.
Spinners from both sides bowled 30 of the total 40 overs and not a single six was hit by a batsman.
The batters' constant failure in making runs in the first innings is costing the team dear, admitted bowling coach Morne Morkel even as India are in danger of losing the first Test series at home since 2012-13.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs, in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson picked up three wickets each as New Zealand trounced Afghanistan by 149 runs.
India has only minor concerns, but New Zealand's troubles across batting and bowling departments are more pronounced.
In need of a victory to firm-up their position in the IPL play-offs race, Chennai Super Kings have the heavy task of nullifying a deeply hurt and frustrated Rajasthan Royals in Chennai on Sunday.
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will expect a lot more from their top-order as they aim to get their campaign back on track against a power-packed Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL match in Chennai on Monday.
The toss is always an important factor in Chennai as chasing anything above 170 to 175 could be a risky proposition.
New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson joined Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar as only the second bowler in T20I history to bowl each of the allotted four overs as maidens, returning figures of 4-4-0-3. Zafar recorded 4-4-0-2.
Santner has been bought by Dhoni-led CSK for the forthcoming edition of the IPL.
Mustafizur-less CSK face unpredictable Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rohit has managed just one half-century in his last eight innings in which he has tallied 104 runs. Kohli's freefall in Test cricket continues. He has fallen to spin three times in the first two Tests. Ashwin, usually, dominant at home, managed just six wickets in the first two Tests at an average of 43.
The Indian-born 29-year-old, New Zealand's top domestic wicket-taker in the past three seasons, replaces all-rounder Mitchell Santner who is still recovering from knee surgery.
But with the Kiwis set to play a total of 14 Tests during the current cycle, Mitchell knows his side have plenty of work ahead before they think about a potential place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in the middle of 2025.
IMAGES of the T20 World Cup match played between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday
There was poor communication and complete mismanagement between the stadium authority and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Rain had affected the buildup to the Test, the first between the two nations, with New Zealand not being able to complete a single practice session properly.
The dream run began with the pair of Ashwin, who made his debut in November 2011, and Jadeja, who played his first Test in December 2012, coming together to form a lethal spin combination.
Glenn Phillips raced around the outfield to take an excellent diving catch at extra cover to trigger an Australian collapse.
RCB's openers gave the hosts the perfect start, before the middle order delivered once again to take the hosts to a defendable total. Cameos from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell added the final flourish.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand?
Chennai Super Kings needed 18 off the last over and what followed was one of the most dramatic overs in IPL history.
Pakistan were all out for 260 in 47.2 overs with Babar Azam (64) and Khushdil Shah (69) scoring half-centuries but the hosts never looked in the hunt.
'We're prepared to discuss all contingencies, if the situation warrants. For argument's sake, if it occurred with one of the Test players, it might make more sense for them to continue on to England [for the Test tour and world championship final]'
Bangladesh scored 245 for nine against New Zealand in their ICC Men's ODI World Cup match in Chennai on Friday.
Smarting from back-to-back defeats, defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face a formidable but bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in Chennai on Sunday.
India routed New Zealand by 168 runs for their biggest T20 victory in term of runs.
Poor batting, poor leadership, clueless coaches...
Dawid Malan's half-century and Harry Brook's fiery knock helped England rout New Zealand by seven wickets in the first T20 International.
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