“Criminal to think of benching Naman Dhir” – Former KKR batter’s huge statement ahead of 4th NZ vs IND 2026 T20I

Former KKR batter Aakash Chopra has urged the Indian team management to avoid the temptation of resting Naman Dhir for the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Auckland. Chopra added that if India want to bring in Shivam Dube into the playing XI, they can rest Nitish Kumar Reddy.

India are 3-0 up in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The fourth T20I will be played at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30. Having already won the series, the Men in Blue might look to make some changes to their playing XI.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Chopra opined that while India can alter their playing combination, they must avoid resting Dhir. He commented:

“Criminal to think of benching Naman Dhir in the kind of form that he is in. He’s not being given to bowl. That’s a separate issue. But, he can bowl. He’s capable. As for Shivam Dube, it’s a mystery that he’s not finding a place in the playing 11 somehow. He was actually playing even ODI cricket in England a few months ago. Now he’s not able to find a place in the playing 11 in a T20 setup. Back-to-back T20 World Cup champion. That’s what he is. Performance in the finals as well. So again, if he plays, he plays for Nitish Kumar Reddy, not for Naman Dhir.”

Dube‘s last T20I for Team India was against the West Indies in Bengaluru on October 17. He had very little to do in the series with either bat or ball.

Naman Dhir has been impressive with the willow against New Zealand

Dhir has featured in all three matches for Team India in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. In three innings, he has scored 77 runs at an excellent strike rate of 233.33.

The right-handed batter hammered 42* off just 15 balls in the first T20I in Christchurch, slamming five fours and two sixes as India chased down 226. In the second T20I at the same venue, he scored 31 off 17 balls, with one four and three sixes, as India recovered from a horror start to chase 181 in 19.5 overs. He had earlier scored 24* off six against the West Indies in Bengaluru.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert