Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed India to persist with the same playing XI in the third T20I against New Zealand. The visitors took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series on Saturday after Tilak Varma played a match-winning knock of 51 runs off just 26 balls.
India had included Prince Yadav in place of Mayank Yadav in the second T20I. Prince was the pick of the Indian fast bowlers as he returned with impressive figures of 1-30 in his quota of four overs.
Furthermore, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had replaced injured Ishan Kishan in the second game. Kishan is recovering well but he has been ruled out of the Wellington T20I.
“I was crying out till the previous match to play a spinner, as it was a used surface, there were two matches in three days, and the Hagley Oval was a big ground. However, I won’t be able to say that now because there is only one game in Wellington. It’s a pitch where there would be a little help for the fast bowlers. So I am not going to say that Varun (Chakaravarthy) or Kuldeep (Yadav) should be played,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“You won’t be able to play them because you can’t make anyone sit out. You will need three fast bowlers here. One spinner might just be enough. I don’t think there is any scope or need for a change. I see Prince Yadav playing because you won’t alternate between Mayank and Prince. If you do that, it won’t be good for both of them. However, I won’t be surprised if Mayank plays,” he added.
Chopra urged the team management to open the innings with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The youngster could only manage four runs off eight balls in the last game.
“In the batting order, I would say once again, please make Vaibhav open. I understand that you don’t want to mess with the ongoing good opening combination, but neither is this the World Cup nor is the World Cup going to happen in two months,” he said.
“You are preparing players here and trying to take the team forward. You won’t get a better chance than this. We have anyway made Vaibhav sit on the bench for so long that you start wondering how his confidence would be. In such a scenario, it’s a little difficult to remain in form for long. Now that he is getting a chance to play, please let him open,” Chopra observed.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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