The fourth ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place in Mount Maunganui on Friday, November 13. With the two-match Test series approaching, India are expected to make several changes to their playing XI. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have already left the ODI squad to prepare for the upcoming red-ball assignment, leaving the team management with important selection decisions.

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on India’s potential batting combination, particularly the position of Ishan Kishan. He believes the wicketkeeper-batter should open alongside Rohit Sharma rather than occupy a middle-order position. According to Chopra, this would also allow Ruturaj Gaikwad to get an opportunity in the middle order.

“The big question for the Indian selectors and team management would be whether to play Ishan Kishan as an opener or a middle-order batter. I would make him open. It will be a left-right combination. He can open with Rohit Sharma. If that happens, you can comfortably play Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 or No. 5 because when Ruturaj played the last time, he played at No. 4,” Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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Chopra also highlighted Gaikwad’s previous performance, pointing out that the Maharashtra batter had scored a century when given an opportunity at No. 4. He feels the upcoming fixture presents an ideal chance for the right-hander to establish himself in the middle order.

“He scored a hundred as well, but he is not getting chances. So this is a very good opportunity. It seems like Ruturaj can be made to open because it is his natural batting position, but thus far you have made him bat in the middle when you got a chance. When you did that then, do it now as well. Ishan Kishan can open in any case. So make him open,” he added.

In his proposed batting lineup, Aakash Chopra included senior batter Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who will continue as stand-in captain for the final two matches. Naman Dhir and Axar Patel featured as the spin-bowling all-rounders, while Auqib Nabi was backed to play both remaining ODIs at No. 8. Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh completed his suggested lineup.

For the bowling attack, Aakash Chopra suggested that India could choose between Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj depending on the conditions in Mount Maunganui.

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India currently enjoy a 2-0 advantage after winning the opening two ODIs, while the third match was abandoned due to rain. With an improved weather forecast for the fourth ODI, an exciting contest is expected. New Zealand can only draw the series by winning both remaining matches.

Aakash Chopra predicted India XI for fourth ODI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj.