Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand. Chopra picked Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as the top five batters in the final XI.
The renowned commentators urged the team management to play Nitish Kumar Reddy at number six. The all-rounder had impressed in the T20I series against the Kiwis and he is available for selection for only the first game as he would be released to play for India A against New Zealand A in third unofficial Test match.
“Shubman Gill with Rohit Sharma – no problem. Virat Kohli at No. 3, Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, and KL Rahul at No. 5. That’s the same five as in the 2023 World Cup. I would say Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6. Play him for sure even if he is available for just one game,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator wants India to play Anshul Kamboj ahead of Auqib Nabi Dar.
“I am going to go slightly left-field. Keep Axar Patel at No. 7. He should be your 10-over bowler. So you have got a spinner. Keep Anshul Kamboj at No. 8. We are talking a lot about what if Hardik Pandya isn’t there. We are trying to prepare a lot for that what-if,” the cricketer-turned-commentator observed.
“However, if Harshit Rana isn’t there, we aren’t ready at all for that what-if. We are not thinking about it, although Harshit’s name has come in the Rising Stars team, which means he is getting close to being fit. However, Anshul Kamboj has that ability. He can bat, bowls decently, and I feel he is slightly ahead of Auqib Nabi from a pace perspective. I feel Anshul Kamboj is a slightly better pick in white-ball cricket,” he added.
Chopra added that playing Anshul Kamboj at number eight, will give India the option of playing Kuldeep Yadav in the team.
“Of course, Naman Dhir isn’t playing, but the advantage of keeping Anshul Kamboj at No. 8 is that you can play Kuldeep Yadav because every time we say that he is indispensable and is a wicket-taker, and that he should be played. However, we don’t play him because we don’t get a fast bowler who can bat at No. 8,” he said
“So you play three fast bowlers and keep Axar Patel at No. 8, and go with an extra batter. If Anshul Kamboj gives you batting at No. 8, does the Harshit Rana job, you can play Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9, followed by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh,” Chopra observed.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for 1st ODI vs NZ: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
