Robin Uthappa wants Team India to pick this pacer over Harshit Rana ahead of NZ ODIs

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that Arshdeep Singh should be picked over Harshit Rana under any circumstance. He opined that even though Harshit can provide assistance with the bat, that void can be filled by keeping Axar Patel in the playing XI and making him bat in the lower-middle order. Uthappa also remarked that Arshdeep isn't a poor batter by any means and is himself capable of hitting big shots.

He further went on to label Axar as an "underrated" bowler and predicted the bowling combination that India can use for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand that will commence from January 11.

ALSO READ: Big news: Body blow for India as star batter ruled out of first 3 T20Is vs New Zealand

“I like Harshit as a bowler; he’s immensely talented, but I prefer Arshdeep over Harshit in any circumstances. As batter, if Harshit can hit three sixes in ten balls, I think Arshdeep can hit two at this point. What he brings to the table is far more valuable than Harshit at this point,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

“In my view, Axar is a very underrated bowler. Yes, Kuldeep is amazing, and if the conditions allow three spinners, then unfortunately, Arshdeep has to miss out, which I don’t like. I think Arshdeep, irrespective of any wicket, should play. Which means unfortunately, Kuldeep has to be out because Varun is the No.1 T20I bowler in the world,” he added.

Uthappa wants India to have batting depth in T20Is

Uthappa also highlighted the importance of having depth in the batting order and said that having eight batting and six bowling options in the XI is the best combination that any team can possibly have in T20Is.

“Between Axar and Kuldeep, I always feel [that] having eight batters is important. And if you have eight batters and six bowlers, that’s the sweetest spot where you can stay in the T20I game… There is no better thing, no better blessing you can get in a team; you have to maintain that,” Uthappa stated.

India's schedule against New Zealand

Meanwhile, India will begin the New Zealand ODI series in Vadodara where the first match will be played. The action will then move to Rajkot where the second ODI will be held on January 14 and the series decider will be played in Indore on January 18.

India's squad for New Zealand ODIs: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal