IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Questions Indian Team Management Over Ishan Kishan's Role For World Cup
Published - 02 Aug 2023, 03:28 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 07:13 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed concerns over young opener Ishan Kishan’s place in the national team for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home. Aakash Chopra highlighted that Ishan Kishan can’t bat at the top of the order for the Men in Blue in the World Cup.
Team management experimented with Ishan Kishan as an opener in place of Rohit Sharma for the ODI series against the West Indies. The left-handed batter made the most of the opportunity and was named player of the series, notching up half-centuries in each of the three games.
The Player of the Series in my opinion is Ishan Kishan – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that he wasn’t sure if Ishan Kishan‘s performance can earn him a spot as an opener in the World Cup.
“The Player of the Series in my opinion is Ishan Kishan. It could have been shared between Ishan Kishan and Shardul Thakur, but I have kept Ishan Kishan because the pitches in the first two matches were tough. If you see it from the World Cup perspective, your third opener and second wicketkeeper is ready.”
“The good thing is that he has scored runs. These runs are extremely important because these are international runs, but if we see from the World Cup perspective, can these runs help him bat at the same position? That’s the big question the team has to answer.”
Ishan Kishan might not open when he plays in the World Cup – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra suggested that Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be demoted to accommodate Ishan Kishan in the batting line-up.
“He (Kishan) might not open when he plays in the World Cup, that’s what I feel. I feel Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will only open. Virat Kohli is going to come at No. 3. So you will not have a single left-hander in the top three. All three are going to be right-handers.”
“He might have to play in the middle order for India, but what do we know – Rohit might bat down the order. It’s not going to happen and it shouldn’t happen as well because Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli should be one, two and three.”
KL Rahul will walk into the playing XI when he is fit and available. Kishan could make it into the squad as the second-choice wicketkeeper and backup opener for the marquee tournament.
