India vs New Zealand 2023

Former Indian opener feels Prithvi Shaw will not get a chance in the second T20I against New Zealand

Former Indian opener Akash Chopra believes that Prithvi Shaw will not get a chance in the playing XI in the second T20I against New Zealand even after the failure of the top order in the first match. The second T20I of the three-match series will be played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday (January 29). The Men in Blue suffered a dramatic collapse and were reduced to 15-3 while chasing a 177-run target in Ranchi on Friday and eventually lost by 21 runs.

In a video on his Youtube Channel, Chopra said that Shaw is unlikely to get a chance in the second T20I as well.

“Is there any scope for change in the Indian team? That’s a big question. It almost seems that Prithvi Shaw should play because Ishan Kishan has a highest of 36 in his last 12 T20I innings, and Shubman Gill hasn’t really set the world on fire if you talk about T20I cricket. You can ask either of them to sit out, but it will not happen,” said Chopra.

Chopra further said that captain Hardik Pandya is likely to play with the same XI as its too early in the series to make any changes.

“It will simply not happen because in a three-match series, you try to stick with whoever you play in the first match. If you make changes quickly, questions are raised on the selection philosophy, that you are doing something wrong. The team that played in Ranchi will be seen playing in Lucknow as well,” he added.

The 45-year-old is also expecting Gill, Kishan and Rahul Tripathi to fire in the second game after their failures in the first T20I.

A lot of focus will be on Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi

“A lot of focus will be there on the top three – Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi because time is running out. An Indian T20 League will come in between, and stories might change. So, it is better you score runs now,” he said.

Chopra concluded by pointing out that a good Indian T20 League 2023 might bring the likes of Shaw, Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad into contention.

“A good Indian T20 League and you might suddenly see Sanju Samson in place of Ishan Kishan and Prithvi Shaw in place of Shubman Gill. Rahul Tripathi might go, and Ruturaj Gaikwad might come in. That’s what Indian T20 League does to the selection,” Chopra further said.

New Zealand went 1-0 in the series as they won the first T20I on Friday. India will look to bounce back in the second game on Sunday.