Aakash Chopra Picks Ishan Kishan To Start Ahead Of Sanju Samson Against Sri Lanka

Jul 11, 2021 at 1:34 PM

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Aakash Chopra Picks Ishan Kishan To Start Ahead Of Sanju Samson Against Sri Lanka

Aakash Chopra believes it is a tough call to choose between keepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as India’s wicketkeeper-batsman for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

India is scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is during their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting on July 18 instead of July 13th. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are the two glovesmen in the 20-member squad led by Shikhar Dhawan and coached by Rahul Dravid.

Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra Will Start With Ishan Kishan For Doing Well Recently In International Cricket

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked by a fan to choose between the two wicketkeeper-batsmen for the Sri Lanka trip. While stating that the team management might opt to give equal opportunities to both of them, the cricketer-turned-commentator named Ishan Kishan as his initial pick.

“It is a tough question. I also feel that because Rahul Dravid and Shikhar Dhawan are there, maybe both are played three matches each. I will start with Ishan Kishan for the simple reason that he had done well recently. If someone has done well, you want to reward him,” said Aakash Chopra.

Ishan Kishan. Photo Credit: (Twitter)
Ishan Kishan. Photo Credit: (Twitter)

Aakash Chopra highlighted that Sanju Samson has been slightly underwhelming in the few matches he has played for India.

“Sanju Samson got limited opportunities at the highest level. He didn’t really make the most of it but he will get chances again now,” Aakash Chopra said.

Sanju Samson has scored just 83 runs at a lowly average of 11.85 in the seven T20Is he has played for Team India.
The 22-year-old Ishan Kishan made his debut in the second T20I against England in Ahmedabad and smashed 56 runs off 32 balls which was studded with 5 fours and 4 sixes. He became the second Indian batsman, after Ajinkya Rahane, to score a fifty on his T20I debut. His tally of four sixes is the highest for an Indian batsman on debut in a T20I. He has played only 2 T20Is and managed 60 runs averaging 30.

Aakash Chopra Won’t Be Surprised Or Disappointed If The Team Plays Sanju Samson First And Then Plays Ishan Kishan

While observing that he would not have any complaints if Sanju Samson is preferred, Aakash Chopra reiterated that he would give Ishan Kishan the first opportunity.

“But there should be continuity. Last time you had played Ishan, albeit in a shorter format and the longer encounters will be played first, that means the ODIs but then I will start with Ishan but I won’t be surprised or disappointed if the team plays Sanju first and then plays Ishan.”

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 43-year-old signed off by highlighting that Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan will have to prove themselves slightly lower in the batting order.

“Sanju Samson is ahead in seniority but Ishan Kishan is ahead if we see in terms of continuity. Both are talented players but both will not get to bat up the order. They will not get a spot in the top three. So they will have to play a new role, if they are able to do that, they will do their chances a world of good.”

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan, his Delhi Capitals teammate Prithvi Shaw, and Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav are likely to be Team India’s top three during the Sri Lanka series.

Sanju Samson had a relatively poor IPL 2020 for Rajasthan Royals managing only 375 runs in 14 games averaging 28.84 but was going strong in IPL 2021 managing 277 runs in 7 games averaging 46.16 and scored a ton. He led from the front as captain as the team was placed 5th before IPL 2021 was suspended for bio-bubble breach.

For Mumbai Indians‘ Ishan Kishan, it was just the opposite. In IPL 2020 he managed 516 runs averaging a staggering 57.33 but in IPL 2021 he managed only 73 runs in 5 games averaging a mere 14.6.

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