Former India opener turned commentator Aakash Chopra expects Ishan Kishan to bat at No. 5 in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 Group A clash against Pakistan. Both sides will play against each other in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2. With KL Rahul ruled out of the first two games, Kishan is likely to don the gloves but might not get his preferred opening position as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “If we see logically, I feel Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will only open. You will see Virat Kohli only at No. 3. I personally don’t see them moving up or down the order. I feel things will be as expected. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4 and Ishan Kishan at No. 5. Whether it is ideal or not, that’s a separate issue altogether but I feel you will see Ishan Kishan only at No. 5.”
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The Indian team could alternatively open with Ishan Kishan and move either Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill down the order. They could even consider leaving out Gill and playing with either Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma as well.
“You will see Hardik Pandya at No. 6 and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7. There will be a slight debate at No. 8, whether you should play Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur, or go completely out of the box and play four (specialist) bowlers. Our team doesn’t look like playing four bowlers because we like a batter at No. 8. So one of Lord Thakur and Axar. The opposing team has three left-handers – two openers and Mohammad Nawaz down the order. I think Lord Thakur might actually get the nod. Kuldeep Yadav and then Bumrah and Shami, that’s my XI, don’t know what the Indian team will play,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
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Aakash Chopra’s probable Indian XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami
