Aakash Chopra picks Ishan Kishan as opener, reveals India’s predicted XI for 4th ODI against New Zealand

India vs New Zealand 4th ODI: Aakash Chopra Backs Ishan Kishan to Open Alongside Rohit Sharma

India head into the fourth ODI against New Zealand with a chance to secure the five-match series, and former India opener Aakash Chopra has offered a possible solution to one of the team’s biggest selection questions: where should Ishan Kishan bat?

Chopra believes the left-handed batter should open with Rohit Sharma at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. That change, he says, would give India a left-right opening combination and create room for Ruturaj Gaikwad to play in the middle order. His suggested lineup is one possible prediction ahead of the match, rather than a confirmed team announcement.

India Close to Series Victory

India lead the ODI series 2-0 after the third match was washed out. With two games remaining, the result of the fourth ODI could settle the contest: a win would give India an unassailable advantage, while New Zealand must win to keep its hopes of claiming the series alive.

The match also offers India an opportunity to end a long wait for an ODI series victory in New Zealand. The team last won an ODI series there during the 2018-19 season, making the Mount Maunganui fixture significant beyond the immediate standings. For the hosts, meanwhile, the stakes are straightforward: a defeat would hand India the series, while a win would force the contest into a deciding fifth match.

Why Chopra Wants Ishan Kishan at the Top

On his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned whether Kishan should be used as an opener or placed in the middle order. He favoured the former, suggesting that Kishan could partner Rohit and bring a natural left-right balance to the first few overs.

“The big question for the Indian selectors and team management would be whether to play Ishan Kishan as an opener or a middle-order batter. I would make him open. It will be a left-right combination. He can open with Rohit Sharma,” Chopra said, as quoted by NDTV.

A contrasting pair at the crease can make it harder for bowlers to settle into a single line and length. It can also change the fielding captain’s options in the powerplay, particularly if both batters are prepared to score through different areas. Kishan’s attacking approach could help India make use of the fielding restrictions, while Rohit’s experience gives the partnership a steady reference point.

However, changing the batting order is not without risk. A new opening combination needs to find its rhythm quickly, and moving one player up the order usually means another must take on a different role. Chopra’s proposal therefore depends not only on Kishan’s suitability as an opener, but also on how India can best use Gaikwad.

Gaikwad Could Move Into the Middle Order

Chopra’s plan would give Gaikwad a chance to bat at No. 4 or No. 5. Although opening is considered his natural position, the former opener pointed out that Gaikwad has already batted in the middle order for India and scored a century from that role. Chopra sees the fourth ODI as a useful opportunity to give him another chance in the position.

“If that happens, you can comfortably play Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 or No. 5 because when Ruturaj played the last time, he played at No. 4. He scored a hundred as well, but he is not getting chances. So this is a very good opportunity,” Chopra said.

He acknowledged that Gaikwad could instead open because it is his usual role, but argued that India should consider the middle-order option if the team has already used him there. A flexible batting order could help India assess its depth and give the player a clearer opportunity to establish himself in a position that may be needed in future matches.

For India, the decision is about more than individual preference. The top order needs to provide a strong start, while the middle order must be prepared to handle a change in momentum, early wickets or a demanding chase. Gaikwad’s prior experience at No. 4 could make him a practical option, even if opening remains his most familiar role.

Chopra’s Predicted India XI and Bowling Dilemma

Chopra also outlined a possible India XI for the fourth ODI. His proposed batting group includes Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, followed by Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Gaikwad. Naman Dhir and Axar Patel would add further batting depth before Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi at No. 8.

Chopra said he would retain Nabi for the remaining matches, describing him as a useful lower-order batting option as well as a bowling choice. Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh were also included in his suggested lineup.

The final place, according to Chopra, would depend on the conditions at Bay Oval. He identified Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav as competing options, with the choice shaped by the pitch and the ground’s dimensions. Mount Maunganui is a relatively large venue, a factor that could influence India’s decision about whether to include a specialist spinner.

“The last player will be a toss-up depending on the pitch. Since Mount Maunganui is a slightly bigger ground, can I play Kuldeep there? In such a scenario, I won’t be able to play Siraj,” Chopra said. If India instead prefer an additional pace option, Siraj could feature alongside Nabi, Brar and Arshdeep.

What to Watch in the Fourth ODI

The most closely watched selection question will be whether India reshapes its opening pair or keeps the existing order intact. Kishan’s position could determine where Gaikwad bats, while the Siraj-versus-Kuldeep decision will reveal how the team reads the Bay Oval surface and the balance between pace and spin.

India’s series lead gives the team some breathing room, but the match remains important for both sides. A win would secure the series for the visitors and end their wait for an ODI series triumph in New Zealand. For the hosts, victory is essential to keep the five-match contest alive. Chopra’s lineup is only a pre-match prediction, but it highlights the tactical choices India may weigh before the teams take the field.