Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested that the Indian team should consider making some changes to their playing XI for the upcoming fourth T20I against New Zealand. With the series already in their favor with a 3-0 lead, Chopra emphasized the importance of bringing back Varun Chakaravarthy to the team, stating that a player who excels in a particular format should not be rested.
The fourth T20I is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28. Chopra, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, mentioned the possibility of Axar Patel returning to the XI if fit, and Arshdeep Singh replacing Jasprit Bumrah. However, he stressed that Varun Chakaravarthy should not be left out of the playing XI again.
Chopra expressed his belief that resting a player like Chakaravarthy, who specializes in a single format, is not ideal as it disrupts their rhythm. He emphasized the importance of allowing players to maintain their form and performance by regularly participating in matches.
In the previous T20I, India opted to rest Chakaravarthy and brought in Ravi Bishnoi in his place. It remains to be seen if Kuldeep Yadav, who struggled in the third T20I, will retain his spot in the team if Chakaravarthy returns.
Chopra also shared his thoughts on the upcoming match, stating that New Zealand would need to deliver an exceptional performance to defeat the dominant Indian team. He acknowledged that India might experiment with their lineup, potentially giving the visitors an opportunity to secure a win.
Anticipating a high-scoring game in Visakhapatnam, Chopra mentioned that dew could play a significant factor in the match. He expressed confidence in India’s performance leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026, highlighting that the team has addressed most of their concerns.
However, Chopra pointed out that Sanju Samson needs to capitalize on the chance he is likely to receive in the remaining T20Is against New Zealand. Samson has struggled with the bat, scoring only 16 runs in the first three games at an average of 5.33.
In conclusion, Chopra emphasized the importance of maintaining player form and rhythm, highlighting the need for strategic team selections to ensure success in the upcoming matches. As India looks to maintain their winning streak against New Zealand, the team management will need to make crucial decisions regarding the playing XI.
