India and New Zealand will face each other in the decider of the three-match ODI series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 18. Ahead of the series decider, Aakash Chopra has challenged former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who failed to perform well in the first two ODIs.
The current three-match ODI series is currently tied at 1-1. India won the first match in Vadodara by four wickets, while New Zealand made a strong comeback by winning the second ODI in Rajkot by seven wickets. Now both the teams will be desperate to win the series in Indore on Sunday.
Series is at stake in Indore as Aakash Chopra takes aim at Rohit Sharma
Before the Indore match, Chopra said that the final India vs New Zealand ODI is a big opportunity for Rohit Sharma. Since Rohit will not play another ODI for the next six months, Chopra feels the Hitman should end the home series with a century and give the fans a special memory.
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Notably, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test and T20I cricket, playing only the ODI format. After the ongoing New Zealand series, the former Indian captain will next be seen in national colors in July 2026, when the team faces England in a three-match ODI series.
However, before the England series, Rohit will be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2026, while Kohli will play for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Given that, Chopra feels that both the legendary batsmen should play big innings and give good memories to the fans.
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Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “They are going to Indore. The ground there is small and the pitch is very flat. I just want to say that Rohit Sharma should score a century in this match because there is no ODI cricket for six months. He will not be seen in Indian colors till July. So, leave good memories. Whoever gets the start should play long.”
So far in the India vs New Zealand series, Rohit Sharma has scored 50 runs at an average of 25 in two innings. Kohli, on the other hand, has been in sensational form, scoring 116 runs at an average of 58 in two matches, including a match-winning 93 in the first ODI in Vadodara.
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Aakash Chopra sent a clear message on KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja
Chopra also feels that KL Rahul should continue to bat at number five after the wicketkeeper-batsman’s century in Rajkot. He also wants Nitish Kumar Reddy to bat at number six and cautioned against too much experimentation in the ODI lineup.
He also predicted that the Indore ODI will be very important for Ravindra Jadeja and he needs to perform well in all three departments as he is running out of time to prove himself.
Chopra said, “Keep KL Rahul at No. 5. Neither should you make too many changes in the team nor is there much scope. Play Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6. I think time is running out for Ravindra Jadeja. So, I would like him to score runs, bowl well and take wickets.”
