Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the fourth ODI against New Zealand. In the absence of full-time skipper Shubman Gill, who has been released from the ODI squad, Chopra picked Ishan Kishan to open the innings with Rohit Sharma.
Virat Kohli will bat at one down for Chopra whereas captain Shreyas Iyer will take his usual number four position. Chopra wants Ruturaj Gaikwad to bat at number five in the absence of KL Rahul, who has also started preparing for the Test series.
“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. 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,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The former Delhi cricketer said Gaikwad should be playing in the middle-order, which has been the case in the last few games he has played.
“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 observed.
After picking Naman Dhir and Axar Patel in the team, Chopra wants Auqib Nabi Dar to be the number eight batter.
“So I will have Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, then Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, and Axar Patel. After that, Auqib Nabi. I am going to play Auqib Nabi all the matches. He will be my batter as well at No. 8. Then I will keep Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh,” he said.
The renowned commentator urged India to play either Mohammed Siraj or Kuldeep Yadav according to the pitch conditions.
“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,” Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for the 4th ODI against New Zealand: Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi Dar, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj/Kuldeep Yadav.
