After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, India will be eager to seal the five-match ODI series against New Zealand when the sides come up against each other on Friday at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. As decided by the BCCI while announcing the squads for the tour, the likes of captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have been released from the ODI squad to prepare for the two-match Test series against the Blackcaps, starting November 19. This gives the team management an opportunity to try out some benched players in the final two white-ball games.
Former India batter Akash Chopra named his XI for the fourth ODI against New Zealand. He picked Ishan Kishan as an opener, while giving Ruturaj Gaikwad the No. 5 spot.
“The big question for the Indian selectors and team management would be whether to play Ishan Kishan as an opener or a middle-order batter. I would make him open. It will be a left-right combination. He can open with Rohit Sharma,” said Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.
“If that happens, you can comfortably play Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 or No. 5 because when Ruturaj played the last time, he played at No. 4. He scored a hundred as well, but he is not getting chances. So this is a very good opportunity. It seems like Ruturaj can be made to open because it is his natural batting position, but thus far you have made him bat in the middle when you got a chance. When you did that then, do it now as well. Ishan Kishan can open in any case. So make him open,” he added.
Chopra picked Plant Man and Axar Patel as all-rounders in his XI, while naming Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh as the pacers. He added that either Kuldeep Yadav or Mohammed Siraj would make it to his playing XI depending on the match conditions.
“So I will have Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, then Virat Kohli, Shreyas IyerRuturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, and Axar Patel. After that, Auqib Nabi. I am going to play Auqib Nabi in all the matches. He will be my batter as well at No. 8. Then I will keep Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh,” Chopra said.
“The last player will be a toss-up depending on the pitch. Since Mount Maunganui is a slightly bigger ground, can I play Kuldeep there? In such a scenario, I won’t be able to play Siraj. Otherwise, you will continue with four fast bowlers – Auqib, Gurnoor, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. So, I see only one of Kuldeep or Siraj playing,” he added.
Aakash Chopra’s India playing XI for the 4th ODI vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj.
Featured Video Of The Day
Spain Vs Argentina | Dani Olmo On WC Triumph: ‘Wanted To Set An Example For The Next Generation’
Topics mentioned in this article
Source link
[ad_3]
