Former India player and now commentator Aakash Chopra has agreed with veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s opinion that even a single win for New Zealand in the ongoing ODI series against the Men in Blue will be equivalent to a series victory. While pointing out the vast experience gap between the two sides, Aakash Chopra highlighted that the visitors haven’t come to India with the intention of winning the series.
For the record, India registered a narrow four wicket win in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday January 11. The second game of the three-match series will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14.
Aakash Chopra’s views on New Zealand’s progress in the upcoming matches
Speaking on a video shared on his You Tube channel named ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former India opener and now commentator noted that a massively inexperienced New Zealand challenged the Men in Blue in the first ODI and that a win in either of the two remaining games will be as good as a series victory.
Aakash Chopra said: “New Zealand pushed India in the last match. I feel it would have hurt the self-respect a little as well. Look at this team’s total experience. This entire team has fewer runs than what Rohit Sharma has scored in ODIs. The total bowling experience is 50 matches. They have half the wickets of Kuldeep Yadav in ODIs.”Â
Aakash Chopra added: “They pushed you till the end. There were very few names you knew, and all of them did well. Ashwin said that one can assume they won the series even if they win one match. They came very close, and I agree with him. They have not come here to win.”Â
Aakash Chopra highlighted that the New Zealand cricket team players are virtually learning on the job. He urged India to be a bit more dominant and assertive in the second ODI in Rajkot.
Aakash Chopra’s views on the underperformance of Ravindra Jadeja.Â
In the same video, Aakash Chopra felt that Ravindra Jadeja needs to perform better in the second ODI against New Zealand. Aakash Chopra said: “I am expecting a bigger role from Ravindra Jadeja because I think the time is running out of him. At the moment, you are still searching for balance as the T20 World Cup is approaching and you are managing Axar Patel’s workload.”Â
The cricketer-turned commentator Chopra added that Axar Patel might pip Jadeja to the left arm spin bowling all rounder’s spot if the latter doesn’t deliver in the remaining two games against the Kiwis.
Aakash Chopra observed: “However, once the World Cup is over, you are not going to think like that. When you go to England, it might be Axar Patel all the way because after that, the preparation will be only for the ODI World Cup. So these two games are very important for Ravindra Jadeja.”Â
For the record, Ravindra Jadeja registered figures of 0/56 in nine overs in the first ODI against New Zealand. He was promoted to Number 5 in the batting order but managed only four runs off five deliveries before being dismissed.
What Lies Ahead
So, the stage is set for the second ODI to take place on Wednesday 14th January 2026 from 1:30 PM IST. It remains to be seen whether New Zealand can upstage India in Rajkot or whether India wins the series. Even a win for New Zealand in either of the games will be a bonus according to Aakash Chopra and Ravichandran Ashwin. Can Ravindra Jadeja step upto the plate and stand up to be counted? He needs to perform for himself with Axar Patel breathing down his neck. If he continues to fail, then his time might run out from the team.
So, the stage is set for the second ODI on Wednesday and expect a run feast and a terrific contest between the two sides as New Zealand will definitely push India to the limit.
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