India will be entering the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the third and final T20I against New Zealand on February 1, 2023, to defend a record of 12 unbeaten bilateral series at home. The Men in Blue had drawn level in the series after a hard-fought win in Lucknow.
Previewing the third and final T20I, former India opener Aakash Chopra said that this match is an important encounter for Maharashtra batter Rahul Tripathi.
Tripathi, who made his international debut during the T20I series against Sri Lanka, hasn't been enjoying a great run against New Zealand. He made a duck in 6 balls in the first T20I, while only managed 13 runs in 18 balls in the second match.
The former cricketer said that the 31-year-old will definitely play at No.3 and he is hoping that the Maharashtra batter will do well as India won't be playing T20Is for some time.
"It is an extremely important match for Rahul Tripathi. He will definitely play at No. 3 and hopefully he will do well because the next opportunity will come after a long time. India do not have T20 matches at all," said Chopra on his YouTube channel as quoted by Sportskeeda.
Chopra also hoped that Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan get some form behind them and he didn’t expect Washington Sundar to be promoted up the batting order like in the last match.
"Gill and Ishan Kishan are there as openers. It seemed Ishan Kishan was getting some form in the last match, but the pitch was very difficult. Gill has the form but he hasn't scored runs. So they are searching.
Sundar's promotion will be conditions applied. Suryakumar Yadav will come to bat after Rahul Tripathi and then Deepak Hooda. I don't see Washington Sundar getting promoted. Washi will come to bat after Hardik and let's see how that actually unfolds," said Chopra.
He also expected Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi to share the new ball instead of Hardik Pandya and wished for the Indian top three to contribute big in this match.
He said: "I want Shivam Mavi to bowl with the new ball. Arshdeep Singh should bowl the first over as it is important to hit Finn Allen's pads. The remaining bowling is fine but the top three have to score runs because they have not scored too many runs however the pitches might have been."
