Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, is raising concerns about Ishan Kishan’s spot in India’s World Cup squad, suggesting that it might be uncertain. While acknowledging Kishan’s impressive performances, Chopra emphasizes that the selection committee faces a challenging decision when finalizing India’s squad for the upcoming tournament.
Chopra contends that Kishan’s selection may not solely depend on his individual performances but rather on the team’s overall balance. In a video on his YouTube channel, he states, “I think Ishan’s place is not dependent on his performances. It’s dependent on what the balance of the team is.”
The absence of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, both wicketkeepers, due to injuries has led to opportunities for players like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan to fill the role behind the stumps. However, a crucial factor affecting Kishan’s selection is the position he bats in. While Sanju Samson has accepted a middle-order role, Kishan has been predominantly batting at the top of the order, which may impact his chances of being picked as a second wicketkeeper.
Aakash Chopra explains, “If you’re picking a second WK, he must be batting at the same place as your first-choice keeper. If he bats at a different position, it’s radically different.” Kishan has showcased his prowess in ODIs, amassing 510 runs in just 13 innings, with an impressive double century against Bangladesh, a feat achieved by only eight other batters.
However, the opening slot in the Indian Team seems to be filled, as selectors have placed their trust in Shubman Gill, who has delivered excellent results. It appears highly likely that Gill will retain the opening spot for India in the World Cup.
The selection conundrum lies before the committee, as Aakash Chopra suggests that a second-choice keeper should ideally bat at the same position as the first-choice keeper. Additionally, India needs to reinforce its middle order, which has been weakened by injuries to key players and a lack of consistent performances by others.
As the World Cup draws nearer, Rohit Sharma and the Indian think tank are undoubtedly focused on swiftly resolving this puzzle to give the team the best chance of success in the highly anticipated tournament. Finding the right balance and addressing the middle-order concerns will be crucial in India’s quest to lift the coveted World Cup trophy.
