Former pacer RP Singh believes that Ishan Kishan will likely be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the ODI World Cup 2023 if KL Rahul is unavailable for the tournament. RP Singh suggested that Ishan Kishan should bat at No. 5 in the fourth T20I match against the West Indies.
With less than two months until the World Cup, the Rohit Sharma-led team should address the concerns in the middle order. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are yet to regain their full fitness. Both batters have been sidelined from the action since last summer due to their respective injuries.
Ishan Kishan Should Play At No. 5 – RP Singh
During a discussion on JioCinema, RP Singh stated that Ishan Kishan is unlikely to get an opportunity to bat at the top of the order in the upcoming World Cup at home.
“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 told JioCinema.
“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,” he added.
Kishan failed to make an impact as an opener in the first two matches before being dropped from the starting XI. The southpaw scored 33 runs in two innings with an average of 16.5 and a disappointing strike rate of 103.12.
Cannot Give A Player Just One Match – RP Singh
RP Singh backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings, emphasizing that the batter needs to be given a longer opportunity to express himself freely.
“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.”
“However much you might say, when you are a part of the Indian team, there is an effect of your place, that you will remain a part of the team only if you perform. A player also has the hope that if you are playing him, you should give him a run of three or four matches, so that he can express himself with the bat.”
With a 1-2 deficit, the Men in Blue aim to level the series when they take on the Windies in the fourth T20I at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Florida on Saturday, August 12.
Also read: IND vs WI: Ravichandran Ashwin Expresses Delight Over Ishan Kishan’s Utilization Of Limited Opportunities For India
The post IND vs WI: RP Singh Suggests Ishan Kishan To Bat At No.5 In Fourth T20I Against West Indies appeared first on CricketAddictor.
