Ishan Kishan Hot Contender For Wicketkeeper-Batsman Slot For Team India: MSK Prasad

Ishan Kishan has had a breakthrough season in IPL 2020. The southpaw delivered a stunning as well as matured performance as he played a key role in Mumbai Indians’ record fifth title win. He was not a part of Mumbai Indians’ playing XI for the initial games but did not look back once he was recalled.

By the time IPL 2020 came to end, he had become an indispensable part of Mumbai Indians’ playing eleven. IPL 2020 finished as Ishan Kishan’s most successful season so far. He had not scored more than 277 runs in an IPL season before the just-concluded season.

Showing his undeniable talent to the world, he piled up 516 runs in just 14 innings at an average of 57.33 and a strike rate of 145.76. With 30 sixes to his  name, the explosive southpaw hit the most maximums in the tournament, and finished 5th on the IPL 2020 Orange Cap list.

MSK Prasad on Ishan Kishan:

Ishan Kishan’s performance in IPL has definitely put him in contention for a call-up from the senior national team. A regular member of India A side, the Jharkhand star is yet to get receive a call from Team India but former chief selector MSK Prasad believes the batsman is now a hot contender for the wicket-keeper’s spot in limited-overs cricket.

MSK Prasad feels Kishan will be a ‘welcome addition’ if he could bat the way he did in the IPL. At present, KL Rahul is the designated wicketkeeper-batsman in the limited-overs team while Rishabh Pant was recently dropped from the ODI and the T20I teams. Sanju Samson is another wicketkeeper-batsman who is in the T20I team.

“It’s really fantastic to see this pocket dynamite in action. He had a fantastic IPL. Batting at No. 4 and later opening the innings, shows his adaptability and temperament. His ability to switch gears as per the team’s requirements will definitely place him as a hot contender for the wicketkeeper-batsman slot for Team India in both T20s & ODIs in times to come,” MSK Prasad was quoted as saying by TOI.

“If he can keep wickets well and bat the same way he did in the IPL, he will be a welcome addition to the national squad,” he added.

Another former selector Jatin Paranjpe, who was also a part of the national selection committee until a while ago, has stated that Ishan Kishan is ‘ready’ for international cricket.

“He’s ready for the India cap from a potential and standards perspective. See, it’s not just about picking somebody. You have to see: ‘What does the team need right now? If you pick a player in the 15, does he have a real shot of playing in the XI, or is he just someone who is occupying a slot? “

“The ‘flying formation’ or ‘balance,’ is an integral part of selecting a player. It’s also about whether he’s needed at this point in time. From a quality perspective, there’s no doubt in my head that he’s ready for international cricket,” said Paranjpe.

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