Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has thrown his full support behind Ishan Kishan as the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter pushes for a strong place in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gavaskar described Kishan as a “complete player” and said he has now made himself extremely difficult to ignore in any discussion around India’s one-day setup. The endorsement comes after Kishan played one of the most explosive knocks of his career, smashing 125 off just 79 balls in the ODI against Afghanistan.
For Gavaskar, Ishan Kishan’s latest hundred was not just about power-hitting. It was also evidence that the 27-year-old has matured into a far more rounded batter. Speaking after the innings, the legendary opener made it clear that Kishan’s India ticket for the next World Cup cycle is already within reach. “I think he’s got his visa already,” Gavaskar remarked. “Somebody else has to really play out of their skin to keep Ishan Kishan out of the team. He’s such a big contributor in the T20 format and he’s batting so well.”
Kishan’s 125-run blitz in Lucknow was especially impressive because of the speed at which he accelerated. He moved from 50 to 100 in only 19 deliveries, turning the innings into a statement performance and crossing the 1,000-run mark in ODIs in the process. Sunil Gavaskar also highlighted the technical upgrades in Kishan’s game over the last 18 months. In his view, the batter who once had a few rough edges has now become much more complete, especially with the way he plays both pace and spin.
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“Look at that shot Graham [Swann] was talking about, the lofted extra-cover drive. He’s got a very good defence as well. Anything short, he’s quick to go on to the back foot and pull it away for sixes,” Sunil Gavaskar said. “He’s just a complete player now, and he’s become a complete player over the last year and a half. Earlier, you thought maybe around the off stump he was a little vulnerable. He didn’t quite have that lofted extra-cover drive. That’s what he’s got now, and it’s so hard to keep him quiet.”
Former England spinner Graeme Swann was equally impressed, especially by Kishan’s adaptability and team-first mindset. Swann praised the way Kishan has taken on different roles for India without complaint, whether at No. 3, No. 4 or as a back-up opener and wicketkeeper. In his eyes, Kishan’s willingness to do whatever the team needs makes him even more valuable.
“He’s the quintessential team man. You ask him to bat at No. 3, he gives you a valuable knock like he did in the first game. Today he’s batting at No. 4 and he was just belligerent,” Graeme Swann said. “He doesn’t care what number he bats at as long as he’s got the India shirt on, and that’s good.”
Swann also pointed out how cleverly Kishan handled the situation in the middle, especially in partnership with Shubman Gill. Rather than forcing the pace too early, Kishan assessed conditions, allowed Gill to settle and then took control once the innings opened up.
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“When he came in, his first fifty, even though he was by no means slow, was all about doing what the team needed. Shubman Gill was batting incredibly at the other end, so he more or less took the back seat. Then Shubman realised Ishan Kishan had put his foot down and was getting runs almost at will, so he just took the singles. It was the perfect partnership in the heat because neither of them was wearing himself out. Shubman was just walking singles, watching a few boundaries, taking another single, and Ishan was playing some incredible shots.”
Swann added that Kishan’s strength on both sides of the wicket makes him a nightmare for bowlers to plan against. Kishan’s form, flexibility and renewed technical assurance are turning him into a serious long-term option for India, and the conversation around his 2027 ODI World Cup prospects is only getting louder.
