Lockie Ferguson is the number one bowler in T20 cricket- Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra is back with his predictions ahead of India’s second T20I match against New Zealand on Friday (November 19). The home had a good start in the first T20I as it ticked batting and bowling boxes and beat the visitor by five wickets. Suryakumar Yadav and Ravi Ashwin were the standout performers for India. Meanwhile, New Zealand fought hard till the very end, but could not close out in the finishing stages.

The bowlers were a touch expensive barring Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson. The former picked one wicket, while the latter kept things tight and conceded only 24 runs in his four overs. Chopra feels the Kiwi pacer would yet again prove to be the most economical bowler. The expert also feels he is the number bowler in the T20Is owing to his pace and wicket-taking abilities.

"Lockie Ferguson to be the most economical New Zealand bowler. He is a fantastic bowler, the No.1 bowler if you talk about T20 cricket. He is one of the best the world has seen right now. There are few better bowlers than him. I want to keep him in the list of Bumrah and Jofra, he is almost there."

For India, Chopra has picked Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel to have a good outing with the ball in hand. The former picked two wickets, and the latter managed to keep things in the middle overs. Ever since making his comeback in the limited-overs team, Ashwin has looked lethal and economical.

"Ashwin and Axar to pick two or more wickets. Ashwin has been bowling sensationally his comeback in white-ball cricket has been a fantastic story. Then you feel why was he dropped only and then when Washington Sundar was played, he did not do anything wrong, he only got injured. Now he is out and Ashwin has come.

"Till when will Ashwin stay, the way he is bowling, he should stay for long. Axar is keeping the place warm, that as soon as Jadeja is available, he will just walk into the side," Aakash Chopra added.