IND vs NZ 3rd T20: Aakash Chopra’s Predicted India Playing XI for India vs New Zealand third T20I at Ahmedabad

Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener, believes that the opening combination of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan should be retained for the third T20I match against New Zealand, which will be played today (February 1) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He thinks that it would be unfair to judge Prithvi Shaw based on just one match, especially as it is the last game of IND vs NZ series.

Predicted India Playing XI for India vs New Zealand third T20I

Chopra feels that if Gill and Kishan are split now, it could become a broken partnership for the future and the team management should give them another chance to prove their worth.

Kishan and Gill have aggregated 23 and 18 runs, respectively, in the two innings they have played in the series. Despite not having a great series against Sri Lanka, Chopra believes that the duo deserves another chance to deliver the goods in the important game.

Chopra also thinks that Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are unlikely to play together in the third T20I match, as the pitches have received a lot of criticism in the series so far. He feels that the team management will opt for a flat pitch, which means Chahal and Kuldeep won’t play together. In fact, Chahal was given only two overs in the last match, with one being a wicket-maiden.

Umran Malik to Play IND vs NZ 3rd T20I

Instead, Chopra believes that Umran Malik will be recalled to the playing XI in place of Chahal. He reasons that if the captain is not going to get Chahal to bowl, there is no point in playing him in the match. Chopra feels that Kuldeep will definitely play and Umran will be called back. In the first T20I, Umran conceded 16 runs in the only over he bowled. However, he had to make way for Chahal in the last game due to the spin-friendly surface in Lucknow. But the speedster could make a return to the XI if the team management wants to play an additional seamer in Ahmedabad.

In conclusion, Chopra feels that India should stick with the opening combination of Gill and Kishan, and that Umran Malik should replace Chahal in the playing XI. He believes that the team management should give Gill and Kishan another chance to prove their worth, and that it would be unfair to judge Shaw based on just one match.