Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons it would be unfair to bench Naman Dhir in the fourth T20I against New Zealand. India has already taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the series and they can afford to make a few changes to their final XI.
Chopra said if India wants to bring in Shivam Dube, they can rest Nitish Kumar Reddy to accommodate him in the final XI.
Meanwhile, Dhir scored a blistering knock of 42 runs off just 15 balls in the series opener against the Kiwis. Furthermore, he scored another impressive knock of 31 runs off 17 balls in the second game. Dhir is also a livewire in the field.
Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo, “Criminal to think of benching Naman Dhir in the kind of form that he is in. He’s not being given to bowl. That’s a separate issue. But, he can bowl. He’s capable. As for Shivam Dube, it’s a mystery that he’s not finding a place in the playing 11 somehow. He was actually playing even ODI cricket in England a few months ago. Now he’s not able to find a place in the playing 11 in a T20 setup. Back-to-back T20 World Cup champion. That’s what he is. Performance in the finals as well. So again, if he plays, he plays for Nitish Kumar Reddy, not for Naman Dhir.”
Dhir and Reddy have certainly impressed in the T20I series against the Kiwis and thus it is going to be challenging for Shivam Dube to make a comeback. Reddy scored an impressive cameo of 26 runs off just 13 balls in the second game and added 69 runs off 30 balls with Tilak Varma to take India over the line in the run chase of 181.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
