IND vs NZ 2026: 'Don't send him at No. 7 or No. 8' - Aakash Chopra on potential Washington Sundar's replacement in India's XI for 2nd ODI

Former Test opener Aakash Chopra opined that Nitish Kumar Reddy should finally make it to India's playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14. However, Chopra hopes to see the Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder batting at No. 6, not lower than that.

Chopra believes that Reddy could come into the side in place of Washington Sundar, who sustained an injury during the first ODI and was subsequently released. On Monday, the BCCI announced

Ayush Badoni as Sundar's replacement. However, Chopra suggested that Reddy should get the first bite at the cherry.

"Will there be a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy? I ask this question because you played Washington Sundar and you sent Harshit Rana ahead of him as Washi was injured, but Washi had to come after that. No. 7 or No. 8, you need a batter," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"We had become like a broken record asking for Nitish Kumar Reddy to be played, and it seems like they will play him now. If you play him, I request you with folded hands to send him at No. 6. Don't send him at No. 7 or No. 8 because that will not be the right thing to do," he added.

KL Rahul, you should go at No. 5. I am unable to understand it at all when you go at No. 6: Chopra

Chopra urged the Indian team management to send KL Rahul to bat at No. 5 in Rajkot and insert Reddy into the No. 6 slot. The former batted at No. 6 in the last match, a move which the cricket-turned-commentator slammed.

"In what we have seen in Nitish Kumar Reddy's career thus far, it has happened many times that you play him, but don't play him properly. I get a sore throat speaking about it. So I won't talk more. However, I see him playing. Hopefully, he gets to bat at No. 6. KL Rahul, you should go at No. 5. I am unable to understand it at all when you go at No. 6," he said.

According to Chopra, Rahul should be followed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Harshit Rana at numbers six, seven, and eight, respectively. While Jadeja batted at No. 5 in the first ODI, Rana was promoted to No. 7 ahead of the injured Sundar.

"You remain at No. 5, keep Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6, Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, Harshit Rana at No. 8, and stop the flexibility and the experimenting. It's not required. If you don't play Nitish at No.6 and don't get him to bowl a few overs, I will say again that you play him, but don't do proper justice with him," Chopra observed.