Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter, is reportedly expected to bat outside of the top three for the Men in Blue during their opening match against Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2023 on September 2 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
On Days 4 and 5 of their week-long camp at Alur, Bengaluru, Kishan was reportedly spotted working out in the nets alongside finishers Hardik Pandya along with Ravindra Jadeja. Kishan has interestingly never batted at No. 5 in ODIs. He has scored 106 runs at No. 4 in six games with a meagre average of 21.20, just one of which has been a half-century.
His inclusion might suggest that the returning Shreyas Iyer might have to bat at number 5 to accommodate him. Kishan being a left-handed option might provide some balance to the batting line-up which features majority right handed batters.
Indian team management not likely to call Sanju Samson
While adding in Samson would keep them in the flexible position that captain Rohit discussed in the news conference following the announcement of the Asia Cup, it is known that the team’s management does not want to create more challenges when the World Cup is just a month away.
Samson’s return into the running just prior to this year’s World Cup presents additional problems because Kishan’s spot is already secured. The team management certainly contemplated switching up the top three earlier this year since Rahul’s availability was a major problem. Rohit or Kohli were both seriously thought about to bat at position number four.
After a thorough deliberation amongst the seniors on the team and the coaches, India’s think tank ultimately opted not to divide the top three. The top three batsmen provided the right balance at the top, thus Rohit reportedly did not like it if they batted outside of their places, according to a report in the Indian Express. Instead, the management has chosen to test Kishan in the middle order as he is a left-hander and is not the team’s first-choice player in the starting XI.
Fans react to reports of Ishan Kishan playing in middle-order against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023:
Ishan Kishan is set to bat in the middle order against Pakistan. [The Indian Express] pic.twitter.com/FODn3bgiYG
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 1, 2023
Just praying good innings from Ishan kishan.
It's time to support team India, whoever playing. pic.twitter.com/0IbMnFSpma— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 1, 2023
Expected Already, thats why he batted with Pandya and Jadeja in practice ?
— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) September 1, 2023
Don't tell me India has another #4 right before an ODI World Cup
— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) September 1, 2023
I just hope he will have good two games
— Pavan (@pavanacp28) September 1, 2023
Ishan Kishan should be sent as an opener along with Rohit.
— Kokonuts (@Artful_Minx) September 1, 2023
Good decision, ishan kishan????
— Vishal Kumar (@vishalkumar9000) September 1, 2023
Ishan Kishan at any other
position except Opening
is waste of his talent…— Patel ? (@Patelshyd) September 1, 2023
another number 4? oh well, there we go again.
— Apratim. (@subtlysomebody) September 1, 2023
Sanju better option
— Atul (@dikhhat_hai_) September 1, 2023
No Opening he sahi tha
— Atul Singh Shanu ? (@Mafiya_Singh11) September 1, 2023
Sanju Samson is better option to play at no5
— ??? (@superking1816) September 1, 2023
Ishan, all eyes ? are on you. Make us proud ?? #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/41qochAhbf
— Sammy Alex M. (@alexcrypto22) September 1, 2023
Ishan can provide the spark that is missing in the middle order after Rishabh's injury. pic.twitter.com/cQmFQoDhD8
— The CrickFun (@TheCrickFun) September 1, 2023
