Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt opined that India should include Ishan Kishan in their second match against New Zealand on Sunday in the T20 World Cup 2021. He again added that Kishan must be in the playing XI not only because of his form but there are some tactical angles as well and he is a better choice than Suryakumar Yadav.
He shared on his YouTube channel: “Ishan Kishan is in great form and India should play him. Suryakumar Yadav is also a very good player, no doubt about that. However, you utilize those players who are in better form. Players who are confident give you more because they have runs under their belt. The player whose confidence level is down is not a lesser cricketer. But you select those players who are likely to be more useful in a game.”
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Salman Butt continued: “Tactically as well, Harbhajan has a point. New Zealand do not have an off-spinner. One is a left-arm spinner (Mitchell Santner) and the other is a right-arm leg-spinner (Ish Sodhi). Left-handers are more likely to dominate such kind of bowlers. Strategically, it will be the right move.”
Notably, Ishan Kishan has scored an important 70 in the warm-up match against England. Meanwhile, Yadav, who has played against Pakistan, could only manage 11. However, Team India is also struggling with Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues and form too. Although he has started bowling in the nets, there is no surety of him bowling in the match against New Zealand.
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“Strategically, it will be better. Hardik Pandya is a capable all-rounder. I saw him play some very good knocks in Australia, but the guy is not fit. In such a scenario, you ensure not to put too much pressure on your problem areas. And so your (bowling) action is not complete. This affects your output and speed because you are trying to be more careful not to hurt yourself again. There are mental barriers until you are 100% fit. So if Pandya is not completely fit to bowl, India can opt for Shardul Thakur and there is Rahul Chahar and Ravichandran Ashwin as well,” Salman Butt concluded.
