Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said that New Zealand is no longer the powerful team it used to be ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, starting on Friday (January 27).
Team India recently whitewashed the Black Caps in the three-match ODI series, and according to Chopra, it should not be a surprise if the result would be the same in the T20I series too, where Mitchell Santner will captain the tourists against the mighty Men in Blue.
Ahead of the first T20I in Ranchi, the cricket pundit raised questions on the New Zealand team’s ability by saying many, including himself, didn’t know half the players on the touring side.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer is expecting big contributions from Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips with the bat in the upcoming T20I series against Team India.
He added, “You will look towards Finn Allen once again in batting but his problem is that he gets out to left-farmers. You will expect runs from Glenn Phillips and you will expect a big knock from Devon Conway.”
Chopra signed off by saying on New Zealand’s bowling attack, “If they bowl first, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi's stature grows slightly. Lockie Ferguson will play, but who will play with Lockie Ferguson is anybody's guess because they have a lot of bowlers. They have Jacob Duffy, who picked up three wickets in the last match, Henry Shipley and Blair Tickner. They can play anyone.”
