‘Not a great sign’- Aakash Chopra analyses New Zealand team ahead of 2nd ODI against India

According to Aakash Chopra, the New Zealand cricket team is not as strong in all formats as they were in the previous year. They will be facing off against India in the second ODI of the three-match series on January 21st in Raipur. Despite putting up a strong fight in the first game, the Black Caps ultimately lost by 12 runs. In a recent video previewing the upcoming match on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that New Zealand’s performance has been declining.

“New Zealand have gone down in the last 12 months. You can see Tests or any other formats, they are not looking the same team they were earlier. Not a great sign. Their bowling is still good if they come with full strength. They have players in batting as well but it is not the full team.”

“The New Zealand team is slightly weak because they don’t have Tim Southee and Kane Williamson has also not come. No one is giving that much importance to bilateral series, which is slightly sad. Everyone is managing workload and Trent Boult is playing ILT20.”

New Zealand recently defeated Pakistan by 2-1 at their home before coming to India for 3 match ODI series. Test and ODI captains Tim Southee and Kane Williamson have been rested for the ODI series.

They don’t have superstars- Aakash Chopra

Additionally, Chopra has predicted runs from Devon Conway’s bat who has impressed in his limited ODI career so far.

“I expect runs from Devon Conway in today’s game because he is a gun player. If it is a good pitch to bat, he is someone who can bat right till the end. Finn Allen scores quickly, that is his style of playing.” He also pointed out Tom Latham’s expertise against spinners, saying,

“You expect runs from Glenn Phillips, and then Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham. Tom Latham is one of my favorite New Zealand players because he plays properly. He scored a century at the Wankhede ground once, played Kuldeep and everyone extremely well. Kuldeep had dismissed Kane but Tom Latham played well.” Chopra claimed that the Kiwis have a decent squad but they are still far from a perfect ODI team.

“Then Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner. They don’t have superstars in batting but they manage their way to a decent total. In bowling, they have Tickner, Shipley, Lockie Ferguson and then again Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner. It is a decent team, I don’t think it’s an outstanding team.”