India and New Zealand are set to lock horns in the three-match ODI series decider at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 18. Ahead of the series decider, Aakash Chopra has challenged the former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who failed to deliver in the first two ODIs.
The ongoing three-match ODI series is currently tied 1-1. India won the first match in Vadodara by four wickets, while New Zealand made a strong comeback at Rajkot by winning the second ODI by seven wickets. Both teams would now be eager to clinch the series in Indore on Sunday.
Series on the line in Indore as Aakash Chopra puts the spotlight on Rohit Sharma
Ahead of the Indore game, 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 Hitman must end the home series with a century and give fans a special memory.
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Notably, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both retired from Test and T20I cricket, playing only the ODI format. After the ongoing New Zealand series, the former Indian captains will be next seen in the national colors in July 2026, when the team will face England in the three-match ODI series.
However, before the England series, Rohit will be seen playing for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2026, while Kohli will turn out for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Given that Chopra feels that both batting legends should play big knocks and give fans good memories.
Leave behind good memories: Aakash Chopra’s request to Ro-Ko
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “They are going to Indore. The ground is small, and the pitch is very flat there. All I want to say is that Rohit Sharma should score a century in this match because there is no ODI cricket for six months. They will not be seen in Indian colors till July. So, leave behind good memories. Whoever gets a start should play long.”
So far in the India vs New Zealand series, Rohit Sharma has scored 50 runs across two innings at an average of 25. On the other hand, Kohli has been in sensational form, scoring 116 runs at an average of 58 in two games, including a match-winning 93-run knock in the first ODI in Vadodara.
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Aakash Chopra sends a clear message on KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja
Chopra also feels KL Rahul should continue batting at number five after the wicketkeeper-batter smashed a century in Rajkot. He also wants Nitish Kumar Reddy to bat at number six and warned against too many experiments 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 time is running out for him to prove himself.
Chopra added, “Keep KL Rahul at No. 5 only. Neither should you make too many changes in the team, nor is there much scope. Play Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6. I feel time is running out for Ravindra Jadeja. So, I would want him to score runs, bowl well, and take wickets.”