IND vs NZ: "Don't Know Half The People In This Team; They Are No Longer The Powerful Team They Used To Be" - Aakash Chopra On New Zealand T20I Squad

New Zealand will take on India in the first T20I of the three-match series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, January 27. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the Black Caps will miss the services of senior players, as he does not know the names of half the players.

All-rounder Mitchell Santner has been named the captain of the T20I side, while Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have opted not to travel to India after the white-ball series in Pakistan. Santner led New Zealand in 11 T20Is, eight of which took place in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands last year. The T20 squad consists of nine players from last year’s T20 World Cup squad.

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New Zealand Has Become A Slightly Weaker Unit – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the Black Caps are not as strong as they used to be. The former India opener said that Devon Conway can score a century in the series opener if he continues his form from his last ODI innings.

“The opposition team is very interesting. Firstly, Mitchell Santner is the captain. You and I probably don’t know half the people in this team. They are no longer the powerful team they used to be,” Aakash Chopra said.

“It has become a slightly weaker unit. When you look at the New Zealand outfit, it seems the team does not have the might. Devon Conway scored a hundred in the last match and he might score a hundred here as well,” he added.

New Zealand opening batter Devon Conway scored a century in the third and final ODI of the recently concluded three-match series against India. Conway scored 138 off 100 balls with 12 fours and 8 sixes, but his effort was in vain as the hosts won the match by 90 runs to complete a 3–0 whitewash.

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