By Admin 
Indian cricket team’s first series this year is against New Zealand, whose first match is on 11 January. BCCI has not yet announced the team for this 3-match ODI series. It is likely that the Indian team will be announced on Saturday, January 3. Before this, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has chosen his team.
India’s last ODI series was against South Africa, in which KL Rahul captained in the absence of Shubman Gill. India had won this series by 2-1. Virat Kohli had scored a century in 2 out of 3 matches and a half-century in one. Rohit Sharma and Kohli are in great form.
Aakash Chopra included Shubman Gill as captain in his team, although the surprising thing was that he also included Rituraj Gaikwad in his team. Actually, in the last series, Gaikwad was a part of the team due to Gill’s absence. The former cricketer chose Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as the 2 wicketkeepers in his team while not Dhruv Jurel or Ishan Kishan. Let us tell you that Pant was a part of the team in the last ODI series, but he did not get a place in the playing 11.
What is Rishabh Pant’s mistake?
Aakash Chopra said, “I will keep Rishabh Pant at number-14, although there will be talk on why Pant was included, why not Ishan Kishan or Dhruv Jurel? You can keep anyone, but tell me what is Pant’s fault?”
‘Shreyas Iyer’s exit is certain’
Regarding the inclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the team, Aakash Chopra said that Shreyas Iyer is almost certain to be out of the series as he has not got the clearance yet and hence, Gaikwad can continue to play at number 4 or 5.
Aakash Chopra said, “The update on Shreyas Iyer is that he will not be available for this series. So don’t be surprised if his name is not in the team, and if his name is not there, then Gaikwad will continue to play at number four. KL Rahul has been kept at number 5 as a wicketkeeper, batsman and probably the vice-captain in the team.”
Aakash Chopra also included Mohammed Siraj in his team, who last played against Australia in October. However, Chopra also did not give place to Mohammed Shami in his team.
Indian team selected by Aakash Chopra
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Tilak Verma, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal.