VVS Laxman Says India Can Try Ishan Kishan As Opener In T20 World Cup 2021 Match Against Namibia

Former India batter VVS Laxman has suggested that the Indian team should give Ishan Kishan another go as an opener in their final match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021 tournament against Namibia on November 8, 2021, in Dubai. India is already out of the semi-finals race as New Zealand beat Afghanistan and qualified for the semis.

India lost their first two matches to Pakistan, and New Zealand, respectively and their chances of making it into the semis evaporated as Pakistan qualified after winning all of their league stage matches, and New Zealand lost just one match.

Ishan Kishan Is Someone Who Uses The Powerplay Field Restrictions: VVS Laxman  

Laxman was of the opinion that given that this is a dead rubber match against Namibia, India should try Ishan Kishan as an opener. Laxman, though, said it was not plausible for him to be picked ahead of Rohit Sharma or KL Rahul.

Kishan opened against New Zealand along with KL Rahul but failed to shine. The decision to demote Rohit in the batting order didn’t work out for Kohli as the Indian side was humbled by eight wickets by the Kane Williamson-led team.

“Oh well there is no doubt, I think that he is a very talented player. Ishan Kishan is someone who uses the powerplay field restrictions, plays his brand of cricket.

“Having said that, as Virat Kohli relinquishes his captaincy after that the choice will be Rohit Sharma, he is most destructive and consistent to win matches for India in that position where he goes in as an opener and then KL Rahul we know what a talent he is and what a match winner he is,” Laxman said on Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’.

“So, how can you disturb these two established openers just to accommodate Ishan Kishan. So that’s probably the question, which will be on the minds of team management and the selection committee.

“But, probably keeping in mind that there is no consequence to the match which is going to happen against Namibia. Probably in this match they can try Ishan Kishan,” he added.

This is the first time since 2012 that India failed to qualify for the knockout stages of any ICC event, and this match against Namibia will mark the end of Virat Kohli’s reign as India’ T20I captain and also the tenures of Ravi Shastri as head coach, and other coaching staff will also come to an end.

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