Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged the team management to back Nitish Kumar Reddy at number six in the second ODI against New Zealand. Chopra is confident that the team will play the all-rounder in the final XI after Washington Sundar was ruled out with a side strain injury.

The renowned commentator doesn’t want the team’s think tank to bat Nitish Kumar Reddy at number seven or eight. Reddy was not played in the opening ODI at Vadodara despite the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad.

“Will there be a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy? I ask this question because you played Washington Sundar and you sent Harshit Rana ahead of him as Washi was injured, but Washi had to come after that. No. 7 or No. 8, you need a batter,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“We had become like a broken record asking for Nitish Kumar Reddy to be played, and it seems like they will play him now. If you play him, I request you with folded hands to send him at No. 6. Don’t send him at No. 7 or No. 8 because that will not be the right thing to do,” he added.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul batted at number six in the series opener and scored an unbeaten knock of 29 runs. Rahul batted after Ravindra Jadeja, who batted at number five. Chopra wants the wicket-keeper to bat at number five.

“In what we have seen in Nitish Kumar Reddy’s career thus far, it has happened many times that you play him, but don’t play him properly. I get a sore throat speaking about it. So I won’t talk more. However, I see him playing. Hopefully, he gets to bat at No. 6. KL Rahul, you should go at No. 5. I am unable to understand it at all when you go at No. 6,” he said.

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajkot on Wednesday.