ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra names his India XI for New Zealand clash, leaves out Shardul Thakur

Aakash Chopra made two changes in his predicted Indian playing XI against New Zealand.

Team India and New Zealand are the only two teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 who are unbeaten. India and New Zealand have both won four out of four games they have played in the tournament so far. Team India defeated Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, while New Zealand got their wins against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Now the two teams will be up against each other in Dharamshala on Sunday.

This will be a battle for the top, as New Zealand are currently number one, while India stand second in the points table. Team India suffered a major set-back as their key all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, will be missing the game due to an ankle injury. Team India will have to force a big change in their winning playing XI. Former Indian opening batter Aakash Chopra has predicted a possible Indian playing XI with Suryakumar Yadav as Hardik Pandya’s possible replacement.

'Hardik provides balance in Indian Xi'

Aakash Chopra notified that there will be a lack of balance in Indian team due to Hardik Pandya’s absence. Pandya provides team India with a formidable option as an extra seam bowling option as well as a great finisher option. Aakash Chopra tweeted, "It is not ideal to have only five bowlers. It is not ideal to have batting finish at 7. But that’s the way it is. That’s what Hardik brings to the team. Balance.” Team India will be in a dilemma about a possible replacement.

Aakash Chopra, in his predicted playing XI, included Suryakumar Yadav to strengthen India’s middle-order and also added Mohammed Shami in place of Shardul Thakur. The rest of the team remains the same. India played against Bangladesh at MCA Stadium in Pune. There are talks about the possible inclusion of Mohammed Shami in the team to strengthen India’s pace attack in Dharamsala.

Dharamsala will offer a lot of assistance to the seam bowlers, and team India will be looking to play a extra pacer. It will not be a surprise if India comes into the game with Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur together in the playing XI against New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja will be promoted in the batting-order and make India’s tail a little longer. India lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.