IND vs NZ 2026: 'Resting a one-format player is not a great thing' - Aakash Chopra on possible changes in India's playing 11 for 4th T20I

India have adopted a rotation policy with their players during the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Only two from specialist pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, played in each of the first three T20Is. Meanwhile, the spin department has also been shuffled around, with Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav getting turns to play.

Aakash Chopra opined that star all-rounder Axar might return to the playing XI for the fourth T20I, which will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28. The Indian vice-captain played the first T20I before being rested in the next two.

However, Chopra urged the Indian team management not to rest Varun, citing that the mystery spinner plays only one format in international cricket and being benched could harm his rhythm.

"You might see Axar Patel playing in this match if he is fit. Will Arshdeep play this one, with Bumrah being rested, because that's what is also happening, but I do want Varun to play," Chopra said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

"I want to see Varun Chakaravarthy playing because he plays only one format. Resting a one-format player is not a great thing, is what I think. No matter how good one is, everyone needs rhythm. If something is going fine, why should you stop it?" he added.

Chopra said that the Kiwis, who have already lost the series after suffering defeats in the first three matches, will have to muster something special to arrest the slide against the rampant Men in Blue.

"New Zealand will have to do something extraordinary to actually stop this juggernaut. We might go 4-0 ahead or we might experiment a lot, and then we allow them to win one game, maybe," he said.

There are no boxes left as such to be ticked: Chopra

Chopra warned the teams that dew could have a vital role to play in the fourth T20I. cricketer-turned-commentator backed the Suryakumar Yadav-led side to continue their dominance in the series.

"A lot of dew comes in Visakhapatnam as well. This ground is right next to the sea. It's a high-scoring venue. I am saying that India should once again win this match, and there are no boxes left as such to be ticked. India is doing well. It feels good," Chopra observed.