Indian opening batters Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill achieved their personal best rankings in the recently published ICC men’s One Day International (ODI) player rankings. The former Indian pace bowler has made a unique appeal to Ishan Kishan before the 4th T20I against the West Indies. Gill moved to fifth place, and Kishan climbed to 36th in the ICC ODI player rankings.
In the final ODI of the three-match series, where skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested, Kishan and Gill emerged as the top run-scorers for Team India. Kishan hit three half-centuries in the India-West Indies series, including a quick 77 off 64 balls in the decisive match, where India won by 200 runs without Kohli.
However, Kishan’s form has dipped in the ongoing T20I series. Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced him in the 3rd T20I, which India won by 7 wickets.
Former Indian pacer RP Singh was asked to select between Kishan and Jaiswal as Gill’s opening partner for the 4th T20I during a discussion on JioCinema.
‘Ishan Kishan serves as a substitute for KL Rahul.’
Before the second-to-last match of the series, the ex-Indian pacer suggested that Kishan should rejoin the team as the number five batter.
“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,” Singh said.
Jaiswal’s T20I debut saw him dismissed for 1 off 2 balls in Providence Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav’s powerful 83 off 44 balls led India to their first series win in Guyana, with opener Kishan averaging 16.50 and scoring 33 runs in the T20I series.
“So he has to learn to play at No. 5. 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,” Singh added.
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