India batters, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan have been struggling for form in the recent past. Apart from the former’s two half-centuries since last December, he hasn’t been able to get big runs across formats. On the other hand, Kishan has struggled since his maiden ODI double-hundred last December. Even though the team has the option of playing Sanju Samson in the middle order, they haven’t tried him so far
Not to forget, whenever KL fails, the fans have always asked for him to be dropped from the side. Pretty much the same case is with Kishan too. Meanwhile, the duo has got the backing of former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting. The three-time ODI World Cup winner believes that both players can be part of the team as wicketkeepers for the ODI World Cup 2023.
KL Rahul will definitely be part of the World Cup squad: Ricky Ponting
“Look, I do think they’ll stick with him. I think in their World Cup squad, KL will definitely be there,” Ponting said in an interaction with Apx Council.
“I think Ishan Kishan should definitely be there as well to give another left-handed batting option because if you look back to game three, they promoted Axar and Jadeja ahead of Surya because of Ashton Agar and the balls spinning away from the right-handers..
“With Rishabh not being there now, they might think of maybe wanting to play a specialist left-handed batter in the middle order which I think would have to be Ishan Kishan in some role, whether that’s at No.4 or No.5.
“Just to negate teams that have got left-arm off-spin because when you look at the spinners around the world now, there are very few right-arm off-spinners in ODIs and T20Is.
“You need to have left-handers through your middle order. Most sides will have left-arm off-spin and right-arm leg spin and if you’ve only got right-handers through the middle order, it’s a lot harder for those guys to play it.”
“So I think they’ll go into that World Cup with the two keepers in their squad and they’ll make the decision on what they need as far as their batting is concerned.”
This is how Twitter reacted
Ricky Ponting wants India to lose 2023 world cup that is why he is vocal about retaining KL Rahul …don't go for his opinions listen to your heart ??
— Sarcastic Cowboy (@SarcasticCowboy) April 7, 2023
Sanju also deserved backing like this
— NIKHIL (@nikhil_nsu) April 7, 2023
Rickt Ponting trying his best so Australia can win 6th World Cup
— Cric Top Class (@crictopclass) April 7, 2023
?? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??
— Laplace?? (@illogical_7) April 7, 2023
Truth is Ponting doesn’t want India to do better in coming World Cup
— Ajay Singh (@ajaytosingh) April 7, 2023
Thats a clever Aussie tactic. He is one person who never wished well for India, so you can imagine what he is doing even now by ignoring Sanju Samson!
— Sumit Agarwal ?? (@sumitagarwal_IN) April 7, 2023
He wants india to lose
— AR (@31_FOREVER_) April 7, 2023
ishan kishan ?? he can neither play spin nor fast bowling
— ?????? (@a_gaurav19) April 7, 2023
Play with strike rate of 50-60
Plays selfish knocks
Never ever plays game changing cameosMost overrated player ever ,sanju Samson should replace him pic.twitter.com/Wv2iz5HdaK
— ? ? ????? ???? ? ? (@screwgauge77) April 7, 2023
Ricky pontung Australian hai woh toh Australia ki fayde ki hi sochega..
KL Rahul khud ko wicket keeping per confidence nai hai..
If he confident abt his keeping thn why pooran keeping firr LSG..
Sanju samson should keep in odi world cup
— Vaibhav (@vabby_16) April 7, 2023
