Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his perspective on the conundrum of including KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in India’s playing XI for the upcoming ODI World Cup, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach. Pathan noted that both Rahul and Kishan cannot simultaneously occupy positions in the XI, except in the event of an injury to a top-order player. He pointed out that they are competing for the same spot, and only one of them can be accommodated in the team.

While acknowledging Ishan Kishan’s recent success, Pathan highlighted that Kishan batted at No. 5 in a match against Pakistan, a position that isn’t his natural spot. He cautioned against rushing to judgments about a player’s form based on a single innings and urged for a balanced perspective. In contrast, Pathan stressed the importance of considering KL Rahul’s consistent performance over the last two years.

“Both cannot have a place in the XI. Both can only play if someone gets injured in the top order, which we don’t want, or loses his form completely. I have only one thing to say about the ongoing debate,” Pathan shared with Star Sports.

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Pathan advocated for a “long-term” approach rather than making “short-term” decisions that could lead to instability within the squad. He emphasized the significance of maintaining faith in players and providing them with the confidence they need to perform at their best.

“You shouldn’t have short-term memory. You should have long-term thinking, and I feel the thinking with which the management is going is absolutely correct because if you keep going with short-term memory, you will have a lot of difficulty in making the team, stabilizing it, and giving confidence to the guys,” Pathan added.

In terms of the initial phase of the ODI World Cup, Pathan suggested that KL Rahul should be given the nod over Ishan Kishan. If Rahul struggles to regain his form, then Kishan could be considered for the remainder of the tournament.

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“You just have to keep in mind that if KL Rahul comes and plays and doesn’t get his form, then you can say that he didn’t regain his form after injury and you can give Ishan Kishan the entire World Cup. However, as soon as KL Rahul comes, he will play,” concluded the former cricketer.

Pathan’s insights shed light on the delicate balance between youth and experience in India’s ODI squad, offering a pragmatic approach to managing the team’s resources during the highly anticipated World Cup.