'I know you don't have the habit' - Aakash Chopra gives important advice to star batter ahead of T20 World Cup final

Aakash Chopra urged Abhishek Sharma to be slightly cautious while facing off-spinner Cole McConchie during the T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8.

Abhishek has been found wanting against off-spinners in the tournament, getting out to the likes of Aiden Markram, Will Jacks, Salman Ali Agha, and Aryan Dutt. McConchie, on the other hand, has been in fine form against left-handers. In the semi-final against South Africa, he bowled just one over inside the powerplay and dismissed left-handers Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton off consecutive deliveries.

Chopra, a former Indian opener, advised Abhishek to rotate strike and look to hit down the ground if McConchie tries to bowl at his body.

"They will bring Cole McConchie and make him bowl around the stumps. Off-spinners follow him (Abhishek) these days. Everyone tries to hit his legs and bowl towards the stumps. Swallow your pride a little bit. You are an excellent player, but you lack form a little at the moment, and the acceptance of that is necessary, which was probably not there in the last match," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"The second over could be that McConchie over. The first over might be Matt Henry's. You will have to manage the McConchie over a little. He might bowl a second over as well after the first one. If he is bowling at your body, hit shots down the ground, take a single, and go to the other end. I know you don't have the habit, but you have to change your habit at times," he added.

Aakash Chopra names Mitchell Santner the best left-arm spinner in the world

Aakash Chopra warned India about New Zealand's strong spin attack. While he mentioned that McConchie could be a threat because of the plethora of left-handers in India's batting line-up, he highlighted Rachin Ravindra's impressive form with the ball. The star all-rounder is the leading wicket-taker for the Kiwis in the tournament, having bagged 11 scalps from seven matches. On the other hand, Chopra stated that New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner is the best left-arm spinner in world cricket.

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"India will have the challenge of two left-arm spinners and McConchie with the new ball. McConchie might bowl more because there are a lot of left-handers. So we will have to be a little careful. Rachin Ravindra is in good form now. All left-arm spinners drift the ball in, but his ball drifts outwards," he said.

"That's why batters are seen getting dragged. You will have to play slightly carefully. Against left-handers, he holds the ball cross-seam and bowls outside the off-stump, the way he got David Miller out. Mitchell Santner will bowl slow. He is a very smart operator. He is maybe the world's best left-arm spinner," Chopra elaborated.