IND vs NZ: Aakash Chopra analyses Black Caps ahead of ODI fixtures

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has made a strong comment on the New Zealand squad that is touring India for a three-match ODI series, and mentioned that the unit lacks venom. New Zealand are set to lock horns with India on the back of a 2-1 series victory over Pakistan in a recently concluded three-match ODI series on the latter's home turf.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, the 45-year-old stated that the touring New Zealand side is weak and also mentioned the reason behind the same.

"Latham (Tom) is the captain of the opposition team. In the last series, Tim Southee was the captain and he has also not come this time. In my opinion, a weak team has come. Trent Boult is not there, he is playing ILT20. Southee and Kane Williamson are not there, they are resting."

Further elucidating on the 'weak' New Zealand team, Chopra picked Devon Conway and Tom Latham to be their standout performers.

"I didn't feel that it was a very strong team in any case and it has become even weaker. New Zealand's story is that their batting will revolve around Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Both are very good players and have very good chances of scoring runs, but you don't find too many runs apart from them."

For the record, Devon Conway was the Player of the Series in New Zealand's recent 2-1 win against Pakistan. The left-handed opener scored 153 runs at an impressive strike rate of 96.83, smashing a century and a half-century after getting out for a duck in the first game.

Chopra concluded by stating that New Zealand will definitely give a tough fight to India, but India stand a better chance to win against the Kiwis.

"This team generally knows how to fight and that is what they will try to do. They always punch above their weight. I expect a clinical performance from the Indian team. Ishan Kishan will have a new role and Washington Sundar will have a little more responsibility, which I think he is absolutely capable of. India will win the match."

The two sides will lock horns in three ODIs, with the first game to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 18. Latham will lead the relatively inexperienced 15-member Kiwi squad, with the likes of regular white-ball skipper Williamson, Southee and Trent Boult missing.

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