Irfan Pathan wants Team India to give Prithvi Shaw a long run in place of Ishan Kishan at the top of the order in T20I cricket going forward. Prithvi Shaw was part of India’s squad for the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand but did not get a game.
Ishan Kishan, who opened alongside Shubman Gill, managed just 24 runs at an underwhelming strike rate of 60.00 in his three innings. Ishan Kishan’s average was a mere 8 in the recently concluded T20I series while his opening partner Shubman Gill was the highest run getter in both formats (144 runs averaging 72 in 3 T20Is and 360 runs averaging 180 in 3 ODIs).
![Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan are known for their aggressive batting at the top of the order. [P/C: BCCI]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/02/641eb-16753944514026-1920.jpg "Irfan Pathan Wants Team India To Give Prithvi Shaw A Long Run In Place Of Ishan Kishan In T20I Cricket 2")
Irfan Pathan Wants To See Prithvi Shaw Given A Long Run By Including Him For A Full Series
During a discussion on a show, Irfan Pathan was asked whether Prithvi Shaw should have been given a chance instead of Ishan Kishan.
“Going forward, I definitely believe so. Even in the last game when the series decider was there, a lot of people were asking for Prithvi Shaw to be played. That’s when I said that if you are playing Prithvi Shaw, you need to give him a long run,” said Irfan Pathan.
While asking for Prithvi Shaw to be given an entire series, the former Indian all-rounder highlighted that the Men in Blue would have to field another wicketkeeper in the XI as well.
“What is long run? Give him a full series. You can’t give him just one match, especially a series decider. The only thing they will have to keep in mind is that Ishan Kishan was playing not only as an opening batter, he was playing as a wicketkeeper-batter as well.”
India could field one of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant (once he is fit and available) in the middle order if they intend to leave out Ishan Kishan. With the trio unavailable for the series against the Kiwis, Jitesh Sharma was the backup wicketkeeper-batter but he is unlikely to be a part of a full-strength Indian side.
Irfan Pathan Thrilled At The Prospect Of Prithvi Shaw Opening With In Form Shubman Gill
Irfan Pathan is thrilled at the prospect of Prithvi Shaw opening with Shubman Gill. Prithvi Shaw last played for the national team in July on Sri Lanka 2021 tour and was out for a first-ball duck on his T20I debut (the only T20I he played). He has played 6 ODIs, scoring 189 runs and 5 Tests with 339 runs with one century to his name.
“The team combination might change a bit when Prithvi Shaw plays and Ishan Kishan goes out but I think whenever Prithvi Shaw gets a chance, it will be a fantastic one because on one side you will get a stable opener, who is Shubman Gill.”
![Shubman Gill has almost cemented his place as an opener with his century in the final T20I. [P/C: BCCI]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/02/ad5d7-16753956425898-1920.jpg "Irfan Pathan Wants Team India To Give Prithvi Shaw A Long Run In Place Of Ishan Kishan In T20I Cricket 4")
The cricketer-turned-commentator feels the 2018 Under-19 World Cup-winning stars would form a perfect opening combination, observing: “Then you will get a blockbuster batter in Prithvi Shaw whose strike rate is pretty high. He goes from the word go. So I am really excited for Prithvi to get a long run. I hope he will get it in the future.”
India do not have any T20I games lined up immediately. In such a scenario, the players’ performances in IPL 2023 might play a huge role in deciding the Men in Blue’s opening combination for their next T20I series.