India vs West Indies ODI series was supposed to serve as the platform to find the backups. With KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant all three nursing injuries, IND vs WI ODI served as the platform for Ishan Kishan vs Sanju Samson vs Suryakumar Yadav. While SKY has failed in one innings, Ishan has grabbed his opportunity with both hands. With Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 around, Ishan has nailed the backup slot with a hat-trick of fifties (two in ODIs and one in Test).
After slamming 52 not out off 34 balls in the 2nd Test, Ishan Kishan hammered 52 off 46 balls in the first ODI. On Saturday, he completed his hat-trick, smashing 55 off as many balls.
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With that, he has now sealed the backup keeper and backup opener slots. With KL Rahul set to don the big gloves and bat at No 4/5, India have their backup option and a keeper in Ishan. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are set as two first-choice openers.
Where does Ishan Kishan fit in?
- It is highly unlikely that Ishan will be in the Playing XI in Asia Cup 2023 or World Cup 2023.
- With Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma opening, those two slots are already filled up.
- At No 3, Virat Kohli is a certainty always.
- Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will take the No 4 and No 5 slots. Hence, there is no place for Ishan Kishan there.
- As KL Rahul will keep wickets, Ishan once again has to be the second option.
- At No 6 & 7, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will be India’s options. Hence, the only option for Ishan is if KL Rahul or Shubman Gill misses out with an injury.
- Now that, Sanju Samson has also wasted his opportunity, Ishan Kishan is all but certainty to be in Asia Cup and World Cup.
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