Aakash Chopra picks India’s playing XI for 4th ODI vs New Zealand, suggests Ishan Kishan as opener

The fourth ODI between India and New Zealand is set to be played in Mount Maunganui on Friday, November 13. India are expected to make at least three changes after Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj have left the ODI squad to prepare for the upcoming Test series.

Aakash Chopra wondered whether Ishan Kishan would open the batting or bat in the middle-order. He advised the Indian team management to send the wicketkeeper-batter at the top alongside Rohit Sharma and have Ruturaj Gaikwad batting in the middle.

“The big question for the Indian selectors and team management would be whether to play Ishan Kishan as an opener or a middle-order batter. I would make him open. It will be a left-right combination. He can open with Rohit Sharma. If that happens, you can comfortably play Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 or No. 5 because when Ruturaj played the last time, he played at No. 4,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“He scored a hundred as well, but he is not getting chances. So this is a very good opportunity. It seems like Ruturaj can be made to open because it is his natural batting position, but thus far you have made him bat in the middle when you got a chance. When you did that then, do it now as well. Ishan Kishan can open in any case. So make him open,” he observed.

Chopra, batting line-up comprised Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who is the stand-in captain for the last two games of the series. Naman Dhir and Axar Patel were picked as the spin-bowling all-rounders. Chopra clearly mentioned that Auqib Nabi will play both the remaining matches and slot in at No. 8 in the batting order followed by Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh.

In the bowling department, Chopra opined that either Kuldeep Yadav or Mohammed Siraj could get picked based on the conditions at the venue on Friday.

Aakash Chopra predicted India XI for fourth ODI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj.

The Men in Blue have already taken a 2-0 lead after winning the first two matches rather convincingly. The third ODI was washed out due to rain. However, the forecast for Mount Maunganui is much better and fans can expect a riveting contest between two top sides. The Kiwis can at best draw the series by winning the last two matches.