IND vs PAK: Irfan Pathan Believes KL Rahul Should Be India's First-Choice Wicketkeeper-Batter Ahead Of Ishan Kishan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that KL Rahul should be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper ahead of Ishan Kishan in the upcoming matches. Irfan Pathan highlighted KL Rahul’s impressive performances in the middle order for India over the past two years.

KL Rahul was ruled out of the first two games of the Asia Cup 2023 due to a niggle despite being included in the India squad. Ishan Kishan replaced him in the line-up against Pakistan. Kishan played a match-saving knock of 82 runs off 81 deliveries while batting at No. 5.

Should Never Forget KL Rahul’s Numbers – Irfan Pathan

During a discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan stated that Ishan Kishan should not replace KL Rahul in the playing XI after just one knock, noting that both batters cannot play together.

“Both cannot have a place in the XI. Both can only play if someone gets injured in the top order, which we don’t want, or loses his form completely. I have only one thing to say about the ongoing debate,” Pathan told Star Sports.

“Ishan Kishan scored runs against Pakistan at No. 5, which is not his position. God forbid if he gets out in the next match, will we say he is not in form? No, that’s not the case. We forget very quickly. We should never forget KL Rahul’s numbers for the last two years and Ishan Kishan has played one innings,” he added.

KL Rahul is expected to return to the starting XI for the Super Four match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. The right-handed batter was also included in India’s 15-member provisional squad for the World Cup, which is set to begin on October 6.

As Soon As KL Rahul Comes, He Will Play – Irfan Pathan

The former cricketer emphasized that team selection shouldn’t be influenced by recent performances and called for a long-term perspective.

“You shouldn’t have short-term memory. You should have long-term thinking and I feel the thinking with which the management is going is absolutely correct because if you keep going with short-term memory, you will have a lot of difficulty in making the team, stabilizing it, and giving confidence to the guys.”

“You just have to keep in mind that if KL Rahul comes and plays and doesn’t get his form, then you can say that he didn’t regain his form after injury and you can give Ishan Kishan the entire World Cup. However, as soon as KL Rahul comes, he will play.”

The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the Babar Azam-led team in their next match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 10.

Also read: IND vs PAK: Gautam Gambhir And Mohammad Kaif Involved In Heated Altercation On Live TV Over KL Rahul vs Ishan Kishan Debate