Prior to the New Zealand series, veteran India spinner R Ashwin opened up on opening batter Ishan Kishan not getting an extended run as a player in the Indian team. However, he wants the team management to give him more chances in the upcoming T20Is in New Zealand as well. Notably, the youngster has played only a couple of T20Is since July 2022 – one game each in England and West Indies, where he scored only eight and 11 runs, respectively as well.

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Friday, R Ashwin said: “Shubman Gill will definitely open the innings. Who is going to be the second opener? Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant? Rishabh Pant, despite being the game changer he is, has given his impact performances at the top of the order. Ishan has been traveling a lot with the team but not getting an extended run as a player. So, he will also expect an extended run.”

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However, R Ashwin also shared that wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson might have to play as Team India’s new finisher in T20Is as there is no other place available for him in the playing XI.

R Ashwin again said: “Will Sanju Samson finish an innings? Or will he be used in the middle order to give impetus, take on spinners, and play his pulls and use the side boundaries? Or will Sanju Samson get a chance? Because, as far as I am concerned, Shubman Gill is a lock at the top of the order.”

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With Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav in the squad now to fill the top four spots, the team management will have to pick their middle-order batters in New Zealand now as well.