Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra believes that the third T20I between India and New Zealand will be important for Rahul Tripathi. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1) as well. However, Team India levelled the series 1-1 in Lucknow in the three-match series with a six-wicket win in the second T20I as well. Meanwhile, Tripathi, who has scored 13 runs in his two knocks thus far, will hope to do well in the series decider.
While previewing the third T20I in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “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.”
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Aakash Chopra added: “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.”
However, it will be interesting to see if the hosts stick with the opening combination of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. While the former is likely to retain his place as he is the only wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI, Gill might have to make way for Prithvi Shaw as well. But, Chopra doesn’t see Washington Sundar, unlike the last game, being promoted in the batting order as well.
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“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. 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,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
