India is facing a challenging situation ahead of their high-stakes encounter against Pakistan on September 2 due to KL Rahul’s absence. While Ishan Kishan is expected to take up the wicketkeeping duties, the bigger question looms regarding his batting position.
KL Rahul’s injury has caused significant concerns for India as they prepare for their blockbuster match against Pakistan. Ishan Kishan is likely to fill the role of wicketkeeper, but the intrigue lies in where he will be positioned in the batting order.
One intriguing possibility is whether India might make adjustments to their top order, given Ishan Kishan’s previous success as an opener in ODIs. He made waves with a memorable double century against Bangladesh while opening the batting. However, in ODIs against New Zealand and Australia, Ishan Kishan was utilized in the middle order as India experimented with Shubman Gill as an opener.
As Shubman Gill capitalized on his opportunities, delivering standout performances including a double century against New Zealand, Ishan Kishan endured a lean patch with scores of 5, 8 not out, 17, and 3.
Upon returning to the opener’s position, Ishan Kishan responded with three consecutive half-centuries during India’s tour of West Indies in July. Notably, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested for this series, allowing Ishan and Gill to form the opening pair.
Here are Ishan Kishan’s statistics in ODIs:
- As opener: 6 matches, 425 runs, 1 hundred, 3 fifties
- At No. 3: 4 matches, 163 runs, 2 fifties
- At No. 4: 6 matches, 106 runs, 1 fifty
The question arises: Will Ishan Kishan return to No. 4, or will he be deployed as an opener once again? Additionally, the availability of KL Rahul remains uncertain, adding to the complexity of India’s batting order.
Former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth proposed the idea of Ishan Kishan opening the batting, particularly against Pakistan’s formidable pace attack, considering India’s struggles against left-arm fast bowlers.
Srikkanth also supported the notion of Virat Kohli batting at No. 4, a suggestion that has garnered increasing support, particularly after it was highlighted by Ravi Shastri last month.
“If Ishan Kishan is in the XI, he has to open the batting,” Srikkanth asserted on his YouTube show, emphasizing the need to seize the initiative against Pakistan’s bowlers.
Captain Rohit Sharma stressed the importance of adaptability among the batters. However, the question arises whether this adaptability applies solely to the younger players or if it extends to more experienced campaigners like Rohit himself and Virat Kohli.
Facing a formidable and motivated Pakistan side presents a significant test for India, one they cannot enter without conviction. The batting order decisions and the utilization of Ishan Kishan hold the key to India’s success in this high-pressure encounter.
