Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra shared that Shikhar Dhawan and Deepak Hooda will be amongst the runs in the first ODI between India and Zimbabwe. The first match of the three-match series will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday, August 18. The rest of the two ODIs will also be played at the same venue on Saturday, August 20, and Monday, August 22.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “I am saying Shikhar Dhawan and Deepak Hooda will together score more than 80 runs, which means Hooda will play, but at which number will he play? Kuldeep Yadav and Siraj will together pick up four or more wickets. By the way, Axar Patel is also there. Who will be the other fast bowler if Siraj plays and when will Kuldeep bowl? That’s the question.”

READ HERE: Gary Kirsten all set to work with Hardik Pandya

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav notably claimed three wickets in the last T20I of the recently concluded series against the West Indies. However, he has not played an ODI since February 2022 as well. Siraj, on the other hand, scalped four wickets in three matches during the 50-over series against the West Indies as well.

Aakash Chopra also stated that Sikandar Raza will excel as an all-rounder for the hosts as well.

READ HERE: India will struggle if Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma don’t score, says Mohammad Hafeez

“Sikandar Raza will score more than 40 runs and pick up two wickets as well. He is in that kind of form, you know that. India will win this match, that’s what I feel, that’s what I believe. I see a lot of their (Zimbabwe’s) players missing. I am not seeing Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani, who is a very good fast bowler. Sorry Zimbabwe, the opposition team is strong and your team is looking weak,” Aakash Chopra concluded.