Former Indian cricketer and commentator, Aakash Chopra, has raised doubts regarding Ishan Kishan‘s potential role as India’s backup opener and wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
With the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, Kishan finds himself in the spotlight as he is chosen in the 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra questioned whether India should consider selecting a left-handed opener for the World Cup, with Shikhar Dhawan being one of the options.
While Kishan is a strong contender for the backup opener’s spot, Chopra expressed uncertainty about whether he is the frontrunner for the position.
On the surface, it appears that Kishan is an obvious choice for the backup opener, considering India would need three openers in their World Cup squad, including Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma.
Aakash Chopra highlights that Ishan Kishan’s position in the squad is not determined solely by his performances
Kishan has certainly made a case for himself with his impressive performances, including a remarkable 210-run knock against Bangladesh, which earned him 510 runs in 14 ODIs at an impressive average of 42.50.
However, Aakash Chopra believes Kishan’s place in the squad might not solely depend on his performances. Instead, it might hinge on the team’s overall balance and the designated wicketkeeper’s role.
According to Chopra, the backup keeper should ideally bat in the same position as the primary one. If KL Rahul is fit and available, he could take up the primary wicketkeeper’s role due to his versatility as a middle-order batsman.
However, if Rahul is unavailable, the team management may consider Sanju Samson or explore unconventional options like Jitesh Sharma.
Chopra pointed out that Kishan has the ability to bat in the middle order, but he has not been given enough opportunities in that position.
If circumstances arise where the primary keeper KL Rahul is unable to play, it would require either Kishan or Gill to adapt to batting down the order, which might not be their familiar role.
While Ishan Kishan’s performances make him a strong contender, the final decision will depend on the team’s strategic approach, considering both the primary wicketkeeper and the desired balance of the playing XI.
As the World Cup draws near, fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the final squad announcement to see if Kishan will secure his spot in the prestigious tournament.
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