Former India participant Aakash Chopra has famous that the New Zealand squad for the upcoming ODI sequence towards the Males in Blue has a plethora of comparatively lesser-known names. Whereas acknowledging that the Kiwis typically punch above their weight, he opined that the guests may not have the gamers to take action.
India and New Zealand will lock horns in a three-match ODI sequence, with the primary recreation to be performed in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. The Black Caps have arrived with a 15-member squad, with Michael Bracewell on the helm.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the previous India opener identified that the New Zealand squad has many unrecognizable gamers.
“I’ve by no means seen a extra unrecognizable squad than this. New Zealand mix the fingers to make a fist. That’s the type of philosophy they arrive in with, however for that, they’ve good gamers. On this staff, they’ve Henry Nicholls and Will Younger. each of them,” he mentioned. (5:20)
Chopra added that Indian followers may by no means have heard the names of a few of the visiting gamers.
“Michael Bracewell is the captain. him. You may need heard Josh Clarkson and Nick Kelly’s names for the primary time. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Then Zak Foulkes, Jayden Lennox and Mitchell Hay. Devon Conway,” he noticed.
The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that followers can’t be blamed for the lack of understanding about these gamers.
“Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Michael Rae and Kyle Jamieson. There are 5 or 6 names, about whom if you do not know, it is not a slight that you do not observe cricket. They’re all very new names,” Chopra famous.
Aakash Chopra identified that New Zealand have introduced nearly their second-string squad as their important gamers can be enjoying within the T20Is towards India and the next T20 World Cup.
“Nearly a like-for-like alternative for Mitchell Santner” – Aakash Chopra on Jayden Lennox forward of IND vs NZ 2026 1st ODI
![Jayden Lennox is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder. [P/C: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2026/01/4456b-17680226731104-1920.jpg)
![Jayden Lennox is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder. [P/C: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2026/01/4456b-17680226731104-1920.jpg?w=190)
In the identical video, Aakash Chopra famous that the uncapped Jayden Lennox has been picked as a digital like-for-like alternative for Mitchell Santner.
“Who’s Jayden Lennox? He’s a left-arm spinner and is nearly a like-for-like alternative for Mitchell Santner. He’s 31 years outdated, and he has been referred to as a participant of curiosity, however he hasn’t performed any worldwide cricket up to now. So he shall be making his debut as and when he will get to play,” he mentioned. (6:45)
The analyst highlighted that Kristian Clarke hasn’t made his worldwide debut both.
“Who’s Kristian Clarke? He’s a seam-bowling all-rounder. He’s very tall and is a barely hit-the-deck-hard bowler. Once more, he has by no means performed for New Zealand. If he performs, he may even make his debut,” Chopra noticed.
Chopra identified that Adithya Ashok has represented New Zealand in simply two ODIs and a solitary T20I.
“After that, Adithya Ashok. He hails from Tamil Nadu. He has been part of the Chennai Tremendous Kings’ spin academy. He’s a leg-spinner and googly bowler. He’s making an attempt to observe Ish Sodhi’s footsteps. The 23-year-old Adithya has performed three matches in whole and can need to play his fourth, fifth, and sixth,” he elaborated.
The previous India batter added that Michael Rae and Nick Kelly haven’t got a lot worldwide expertise both.
“Michael Rae is a quick bowler. He has performed two Exams. He has eight wickets to his title. He has not performed ODI cricket up to now. So he may even make his debut. Nick Kelly is 32 years outdated and has performed three ODIs and can need to play three extra,” he famous.
To conclude, Aakash Chopra identified that India, not like New Zealand, are fielding nearly their full-strength squad, barring in all probability Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. He added that there is not lots for the hosts to realize or work out from the three ODIs towards an under-strength Kiwi facet.
Edited by Kartik Iyer