Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra has played down New Zealand’s team for the upcoming T20I series against India, saying they no longer have the powerful team they used to. After clean-sweeping the Kiwis in the one-day international series, India will lock horns with Mitchell Santner’s side in the first T20I of the three-match series in Ranchi.

Speaking on his Youtube channel ahead of the match, Aakash Chopra said New Zealand is no longer the powerful team it used to be, adding that he doesn’t know half the players in their team.

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Explaining the same, Aakash Chopra said, “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. 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.”

The former cricketer said he expects a big knock from Devon Conway, adding that Glenn Phillips will be expected to chip in with a few runs.

Aakash Chopra explained, “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.”

Finally, Aakash Chopra said he doesn’t know who will pair up with Lockie Ferguson to form New Zealand’s fast-bowling attack.

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Elaborating the same, Aakash Chopra said, “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.”