The debate over who should be India’s wicketkeeper-batter between KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan has sparked discussions among former cricketers and fans alike. While India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, and chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, have remained tight-lipped on the matter, a majority of former cricketers have voiced their support for Ishan Kishan.
Gautam Gambhir, a former cricketer, went as far as to label it a “blunder” if Rahul were preferred over Kishan in India’s playing XI. Until recently, Rahul was the undisputed first-choice keeper-batter for two key reasons: he had cemented the No.5 position with consistent performances, and his wicketkeeping skills left no room for complaint, providing balance to the Indian ODI side when Rishabh Pant was unavailable.
However, the dynamics began to shift after IPL 2023. Kishan, initially a backup opener, was entrusted with the wicketkeeping duties when Rahul suffered a thigh injury. Kishan seized the opportunity, emerging as the top run-scorer in the West Indies ODIs with three consecutive half-centuries.
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Crucially, Ishan Kishan achieved this feat as an opener. Rahul remained the preferred choice because India needed a reliable No.5 batsman, and Kishan’s performance in that role had been less than stellar. However, Kishan’s fortunes changed during the Asia Cup group stage when he was asked to bat at No.5 in Rahul’s absence. He made a compelling case for himself when India found themselves in trouble at 66 for 4 against Pakistan.
Ishan Kishan, in partnership with Hardik Pandya, orchestrated a record fifth-wicket stand, rescuing India from a precarious situation. Despite being hampered by cramps, his 82-run knock convinced experts that he should be given precedence over Rahul, who has now recovered and rejoined the Asia Cup squad.
“India will make a huge blunder if they don’t play Ishan Kishan ahead of KL Rahul,” asserted Gautam Gambhir.
Another former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra, highlighted Kishan’s ability to perform under pressure, emphasizing that Kishan consistently delivers whenever he is given an opportunity.
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India is set to face Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, with Rahul expected to return to the lineup. This is likely part of India’s plan to assess his fitness ahead of the World Cup. However, the question of whether this would be fair to Kishan remains unanswered. The debate continues as cricket enthusiasts await the final decision on this intriguing selection dilemma.
