Last Update on: August 10th, 2023 at 02:59 pm
With the T20I series on the line, former fast bowler RP Singh has urged Team India to include Ishan Kishan in the playing eleven for the fourth game against West Indies.
West Indies are currently leading the series 2-1 and a win in the penultimate match of the five-match series will see them seal a memorable series win over Team India. India, on the other hand, need to win both of the remaining games to complete a remarkable turnaround after losing the first two T20Is.
After ending up on the losing side of the first two T20Is, the Men in Blue bounced back in style and won the third T20I by seven wickets. One of the changes that India made for the do-or-die third T20I was to replace Ishan Kishan with uncapped Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Although Ishan Kishan did not impress with the bat in the first two T20Is, it would not be wrong to say that he was rested instead of being dropped. Before the T20I series, the wicketkeeper-batsman had scored four fifties in a row on the tour (3 in ODI, 1 in Test).
Yashasvi Jaiswal Or Ishan Kishan? RP Singh on India’s team combination for the fourth T20I:
Ishan Kishan’s replacement Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to grab the opportunity and was out for just 1. The highly-rated batsman, however, is unlikely to be dropped after just one game and is likely to open the innings with Shubman Gill who is also set to play the game despite his poor run as the team-management would be hoping that he regains his form ahead of the Asia Cup.
In such a scenario, Ishan Kishan might have to sit out. However, RP Singh has said that the wicketkeeper-batsman should target the middle-order slot. RP Singh stated that it could also help India develop a backup option in case KL Rahul remains unavailable in the future.
“It doesn’t work out with just one chance. According to me, Ishan should play at No. 5 if you see him at No. 5 for the (ODI) World Cup. If KL Rahul is unavailable in the future, Ishan Kishan is his backup option. So he has to learn to play at No. 5,” RP Singh told JioCinema.
“When Rohit Sharma comes, Rohit and Shubman Gill will open, although Gill’s performance has slightly saddened our hearts. But still if both of them open, where can Ishan Kishan get a place, it is down the order,” he added.
Speaking further, RP Singh explained why Yashasvi deserves a few more chances to prove himself, saying: “You cannot give a player just one match. According to me, you should give him at least three, four or five matches. You get to see the fearless approach in one match. If he scores runs, he continues with the same approach in the next match. If he doesn’t score runs, a batter falls slightly behind.”