IND vs NZ: "You Can Ask Either Of Openers To Sit Out, But It Will Not Happen" - Aakash Chopra Says Prithvi Shaw Won't Get Chance In 2nd T20I

India will take on New Zealand in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday, January 29. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes there will be no change in the top order for the second match, saying  that Prithvi Shah will have to wait for his chance.

The Black Caps beat the Men in Blue by 21 runs in the first match in Ranchi to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have struggled in T20Is and have failed to provide a good start in the powerplay. Ishan has struggled in T20Is, scoring only 180 runs in his last 12 innings, including a best score of 36 with an average of 15 and a strike rate of 116.12.

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Try To Stick With Whoever You Play In The First Match – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra opined that Prithvi Shah will not get a chance to play in the must-win encounter despite the struggles of the openers in the previous games. The former India opener suggested the team management not make quick changes and stick with the opening game line-up.

“Is there any scope for change in the Indian team? That’s a big question. It almost seems that Prithvi Shaw should play because Ishan Kishan has a highest of 36 in his last 12 T20I innings, and Shubman Gill hasn’t really set the world on fire if you talk about T20I cricket. You can ask either of them to sit out, but it will not happen,” Aakash Chopra said.

“It will simply not happen because in a three-match series, you try to stick with whoever you play in the first match. If you make changes quickly, questions are raised on the selection philosophy, that you are doing something wrong. The team that played in Ranchi will be seen playing in Lucknow as well,” he added.

Also read: IND vs NZ: “India Would Be Disappointed, Arshdeep Singh Would Have Been Disappointed” – Wasim Jaffer Feels Last Over Cost India In 1st T20I

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