Former India opener turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has predicted that Rohit Sharma-led Indian side will complete a clean sweep in the three-match T20I series over New Zealand. The final match will be played at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
While making his predictions in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that Team India would finish the series on a winning note as well. He elaborated: “I am still saying India will win, I mean India will win again. India is going to be ruthless because the World Cup’s wounds are still fresh. So I don’t think they will take the foot off the accelerator. So, I have the full expectation of an Indian win.”
Aakash Chopra again shared: “I feel New Zealand pacers’ economy rate will be slightly better than the Indian pacers. Why, I have got no idea. Maybe because Lockie Ferguson will play this game, and he will bowl well.”
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However, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson was replaced by Adam Milne in New Zealand’s playing XI in the second T20I. The Kolkata Knight Riders’ star player could return to the side, considering that the latter failed to do well in the last game. And, the veteran also predicted that the powerplay overs would see a decent number of runs being scored and quite a few big shots might be seen in Kolkata too.
Notably, a total of 14 sixes were hit in the second T20I in Ranchi, where Team India hit nine of them. Rohit Sharma, who smashed five maximums, also became the first Indian batsman to cross the 450-sixes mark in international cricket as well.
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“More than 90 runs will be scored in the powerplay overs. That means both teams will again hit a lot. Whoever opens, the bowlers will be hit a lot. Probably there will be even more dew here than in Ranchi. I feel more than eight sixes will be hit in this match; 10 or 12 can also be hit. The Eden Gardens ground is slightly small; it is not as big as Ranchi. There are chances of sixes raining here,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
