Australia captain Mitch Marsh says the team is confident of their young bowlers performing at the T20 World Cup and that the team has taken lessons from their T20I series loss in Pakistan last month.
I don't want to feel any pressure about not bowling a certain ball because it's first ball: Ellis
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
Australia began their T20 World Cup campaign with a thumping 67-run victory over Ireland, in Colombo, on Wednesday.
India will be hoping for a positive turn in their spinners' performance while attempting to extend the total domination over New Zealand to the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of T20 World Cup 2026.
Mark Chapman scored 132 and Daryl Mitchell 76 in a 199-run partnership as New Zealand amassed 344 for 9 and went on to beat Pakistan by 73 runs in the first One-Day International at Napier on Saturday.
India's recent T20 World Cup victory signals a new era of dominance in the format, driven by strategic gameplay, exceptional talent, and the financial power of the BCCI, while other teams struggle to compete.
Aiden Markram praised South Africa's bowlers for restricting New Zealand, leading to a seven-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup. Markram's unbeaten 86 and Jansen's 4/40 were key to the win.
'The body is holding together, and it's a great group to be a part of.'
IMAGES from the first ODI played between India and New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday
Pak cricket fraternity questions seriousness of touring teams after depleted Aussies lose 1st T20I
Kolkata's 'Knight Rider' Allen blows away South Africa, takes NZ into final
Finn Allen's blistering century led New Zealand to a stunning nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
In India's 100th T20I at home, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan struck explosive fifties as India chased down 209 with ease to beat New Zealand in Raipur, taking a 2-0 lead in the T20I series ahead of the World Cup.
Kishan's statement knock, Surya's welcome fifty give India 2-0 lead
New Zealand's Matt Henry experienced a week of highs and lows, from witnessing the birth of his son to delivering a match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
Sanju Samson seeks revival with home support as India manage injuries and combinations against New Zealand in the final T20I before the World Cup.
Ishan Kishan's sensational comeback and Sanju Samson's inconsistent displays with the bat will reignite debate over who should be Abhishek Sharma's preferred opening partner.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Yuvraj Samra, 19, is the youngest batter to score a century in T20 World Cup, during the match against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Pakistan steamrollered Australia by 111 runs in the final Twenty20 International to complete a 3-0 series sweep on Sunday, signalling their preparedness for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
India's absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.
Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings for the first time in five years.
Injury-hit Australia can still contend at World Cup, says Ellis
Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks' rapid 44-run partnership turned the game as England chased down a target of 160 with three balls to spare and beat New Zealand by four wickets in the T20 World Cup Super Eights in Colombo on Friday.
Former captain Ricky Ponting says the current Australian side lacked the aura that defined its past teams at ICC World Cups.
Virat Kohli's stroke-filled 91-ball 93 set up India's win in the series opener against New Zealand.
Top-order batter Daryl Mitchell has declared himself fit to face India in New Zealand's final Champions Trophy group match after missing the win over Bangladesh on Monday because of illness.
Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after "running out of time" to recover from a hamstring injury.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Abhishek Sharma's pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script with India out-batting New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday?
'The atmosphere he has created in the team -- he has tried to infuse a culture of playing for the team and not focusing on personal milestones.'
Pakistan grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after skipper Salman Agha led by example to secure their comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match in Lahore on Saturday.
Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to his commitments in the SA20 league.
Even as the focus remains on the T20 World Cup which is less than a month away, Kohli and Rohit will hog the limelight in the three ODIs over the next seven days.
A preview of Group D in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
