New Zealand recall Ross Taylor for T20I series

Taylor was recalled to the squad after legspinner, Todd Astle was ruled out of the tour after suffering a groin strain during the warm-up game against Board President's XI before the ODI series. Taylor, who accumulated 155 runs in the recently concluded ODI series, played a starring role in the New Zealand’s win against the hosts at the Wankhede in the first ODI of the three-match series.

"Ross is in good form as well. He gives us another option through the middle order. It's a real shame for Todd, but it will be nice to have Ross' experience in the group," New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said, reported Cricbuzz.

New Zealand have never lost a T20I against India, winning five out of the six matches while one was washed out. They also go into the series as the top-ranked side in T20s. Hesson voiced his confidence ahead of the series due to the consistency of his players in the shortest format of the game.

"We're No. 1 in the world at the moment (for T20). We've got the bulk of the squad we've had for a while with some fresh and exciting faces as well. Once again, it's a tough challenge here playing India in India," he added.

Full squad: Kane Williamson (c), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips (wk)