ICC World Cup 2023: "Ishan Kishan Is Unlikely To Open The Batting At The WC" - Aakash Chopra Slams India's Preparation

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra slammed the Rohit Sharma-led team’s preparation leading into the ODI World Cup 2023, which is set to be played at home. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the team management tactics resemble the errors of the T20 World Cup 2022.

India’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2022 ended in the semi-finals. The team management made blunders with selection during the tournament’s preparation, which had an impact on their performance. The Men in Blue have failed to win a major tournament over the last decade.

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That Is My Big Worry – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra questioned India’s preparation for the marquee event, stating that Ishan Kishan doesn’t fit in the batting lineup.

“It feels like the debacle of the 2022 T20 World Cup is repeating now. That is my big worry,” Chopra said.

“Ishan Kishan is unlikely to open the batting at the WC. I’ll be really surprised if Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill open the batting and Rohit drops down to the middle order. I don’t agree with this at all. Should Virat Kohli drop down from No. 3, again absolutely no,” he added.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested in India’s six-wicket loss against the West Indies in the second ODI. Ishan Kishan, who scored two fifties in both games as an opener, might be dropped once Rohit returns to the playing XI.

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His Numbers At No.4 Are Worrying – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra expressed concern over Team India’s approach with Ishan Kishan, stating that there is no place for him in the batting order due to his poor numbers at No. 4.

“There is a temptation with Gill-Ishan because of the left-right combination, but there just is no place anywhere in the batting order.

As much as I love Kishan, he is brilliant while opening, but his numbers at No.4 are worrying. If you don’t play him more at No.4 and plan to use him at No.4 during WC, it does not add up at all,” he concluded.