IND vs NZ: Aakash Chopra Names His India XI For The First T20I Against New Zealand; Claims Prithvi Shaw Will Not Play

Aakash Chopra believes Prithvi Shaw would not play in India’s first T20I against New Zealand. The Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi will host the opening encounter of the three-match series on Friday, January 27.

Hardik Pandya will continue to lead the hosts, with Suryakumar Yadav serving as his deputy, because Rohit Sharma is still out of the running for the shortest format.

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In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra selected India’s likely starting XI for the first game of the series. On his own field, he anticipates Ishan Kishan to start the batting order, saying:

“It is MS Dhoni’s home field in Ranchi. Since Dhoni isn’t available, Ishan Kishan, one of his students, will play. Ishan Kishan has only scored runs once here, but if we look at his previous 11 games, he hasn’t done so”

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Aakash Chopra noted that the middle order chooses itself while anticipating Gill to surpass Shaw as Kishan’s opening partner, noting:

“Shubman Gill is widely regarded as being among the best in Indian cricket right now. I believe Shubman Gill will start; Prithvi Shaw has not yet been given the opportunity. Rahul Tripathi, in my opinion, will rank third. You are familiar with Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Deepak Hooda, the team’s other players.”

In the pre-game news conference, Hardik stated that Gill will start the first T20I. Shaw is unlikely to be included in the starting lineup in such a case.

“Shivam Mavi will play” – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra predicts Washington Sundar and Shivam Mavi to bat at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively.

“Washington Sundar will then take the field. He must participate. Shardul Thakur is not on the team. So they might look to Shivam Mavi, who scored a few runs the last time he played.”

While selecting Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik as the other two seamers, the renowned analyst pointed out that the squad management must choose between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

Aakash Chopra’s Indian XI for 1st T20I: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

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