Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer said that Ishan Kishan should start as the wicketkeeper-batter for India ahead of KS Bharat in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Considering the absence of Rishabh Pant from the Indian team due to his horrific car accident in December last year, the big question that arises for the Indian management is to select a wicketkeeper batter for the WTC final at the Oval as well.

While KS Bharat had played four Tests against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, Ishan Kishan is yet to play a Test match for India as well. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, Srikar Bharat scored 101 runs in four matches at an average of 20.2, including his best score of 44 as well. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has scored 2985 runs in 48 first-class matches which came at an average of 38.76 with six centuries and 16 half-centuries.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda ahead of the WTC final, Wasim Jaffer said: “I would go with Ishan Kishan as I believe that he has the X-factor in himself. As a batsman there is a bit of edge compared to KS Bharat. If gets the rhythm then he can make runs quickly. He plays well against fast bowling. Rishabh Pant is obviously in the high-class category but I feel Ishan Kishan has got that X-factor in him that he can change the course of the match if he bats for two sessions.”

However, Wasim Jaffer said that even KS Bharat will play his first Test in England if he gets picked. Speaking about the challenges for a wicket-keeper in the tough conditions of England, Wasim Jaffer said:

“I think it will be a challenge (for Ishan Kishan) and there is no doubt about it. KS Bharat has also never played in England, so it will be the same challenge for him. Keeping in England is not that simple because the ball swings a lot even after passing the stumps. Whoever you pick among them will play their first Test in England. I would go with Ishan Kishan because if he goes on then he can probably cause more damage than KS Bharat.”