IND vs NZ: Aakash Chopra Selects India's Potential XI For The First ODI vs New Zealand; Deepak Hooda And Umran Malik Are Left Out

Aakash Chopra has named India’s probable XI for the first One-Day International against New Zealand, which will be played on Friday, November 25 in Auckland.

In the unavailability of regular captain Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan will lead India in the three-match ODI series. The Men in Blue enter the ODIs on a high note, having won the previous T20I series against the same opponents 1-0.

Chopra stated on his YouTube channel that Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer should be in the starting Xi. He reasoned as follows:

“Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain, but where will he play? He should play because he is vice-captain.” Shreyas Iyer – whatever he doesn’t do in T20s, whatever troubles he has with bouncers, the guy’s ODI numbers are really good. His first ODI century came in New Zealand too, at Hamilton. So he’ll play.”

Chopra then named his top six batsmen, saying: “Let us try to select the starting XI. The two openers are Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill. Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav round up your four batsmen. Rishabh Pant is likely to start at No. 5 and Sanju Samson at No. 6.”

“India would struggle to fit Deepak Hooda”: Aakash Chopra

Deepak Hooda will likely have trouble fitting into India’s starting lineup, as per Aakash Chopra. He concluded:

“No one bowls in the top order if Deepak Hooda is batting at number seven. That is the issue India has always had. Given the limited size of the field and the fact that this is not a T20 game, you must field five full bowlers. Deepak Hooda cannot bowl 10 overs.”

The five-pronged bowling attack’s conclusion was made by Aakash Chopra, who chose three all-rounders and two specialist bowlers, saying:

“Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar are three bowlers who can bowl in different ways, so you might have to use them. followed by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal. It is possible to field a team like that.”

The last time the Men in Blue played an ODI series in New Zealand, they lost 3-0.

Aakash Chopra’s probable India XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Rishabh Pant’s Lean Patch Continues As Twitter Reacts After Batter’s Poor Run Against New Zealand In The 3rd T20I Match