2011 World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir backs the young Indian wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan to play ahead of the comeback man KL Rahul in the Super 4 clash against Pakistan on Sunday. Ishan and Rahul are both anticipated to be key players for the Indian team in the next matches.
In India’s campaign opener against Pakistan, Ishan Kishan displayed outstanding coolness to bat the Indian team out of trouble from a difficult position. The left-handed batsman handled the pressure to score 82 runs off 81 balls against the fearsome Men in Green bowling and he would look to continue his fine form going into the remaining games of the Asia Cup 2023.
During a discussion in Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir believes it is important to stick with the in-form players in the Asia Cup stating the name of Ishan Kishan. He also thinks the team should judge the player based on the performance rather than choosing it based on the name.
“Tell me something, what is more important to win a championship — name or form? If Rohit (Sharma) or Virat (Kohli) had scored something similar (four consecutive fifties), would you still say that KL Rahul would replace them?”
“The point is, when you’re gearing up to win the World Cup, you don’t see the name, you judge by their form. You choose the player who can perform and win you the World Cup,” Gautam Gambhir said.
Ishan Kishan has demonstrated his versatility as a batsman for the Indian side in ODI cricket. The southpaw has been in outstanding form in the ODI format and will look to carry that form into the Super 4 stage of the 2023 Asia Cup.
Ishan Kishan Has Done Everything He Needs To Do Be A Frontrunner – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir believes that Ishan Kishan has given it his all to be the starting wicketkeeper for India in the World Cup. He also questioned whether the team management would decide to include KL Rahul if Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli were in place of Ishan Kishan for the spot in the playing 11.
“I feel Ishan Kishan has done everything he needs to do to be a frontrunner, Just because he is Ishan Kishan and hasn’t played a lot of international cricket, you’re saying that KL Rahul should play before him.”
“But if Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma were in place of Ishan Kishan, would KL Rahul be able to replace them? The answer is ‘no’,” Gautam Gambhir added.
KL Rahul has joined the Indian team ahead of the Super 4 round of the competition, the team will now have a difficult time deciding between Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul going into the game against Pakistan on Sunday.