It had felt like Ishan Kishan was only a temporary solution for KL Rahul’s absence in India’s first two Group A matches, against Pakistan and Nepal, of the Asia Cup, and that KL Rahul would slot back into his position at number 5 when he would turn up fit for the tournament in Asia Cup 2023.
However, Ishan Kishan played a terrific hand of 82 runs in 81 balls against Pakistan, fighting tough circumstances after early wickets and batting at an unfavorable position of number 5, and this was his 4th consecutive half-century in ODIs. This will have enraged the debate between him and KL Rahul among the Indian management of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. It is also not to forget that two of his half-centuries in the West Indies came on sluggish surfaces where most of the other batters struggled.
Fans and experts are taking their side: one party suggests Ishan Kishan has proven himself, especially at the number 5 slot now, and is also a left-hander, so after scoring 4 fifties in a row, he should be selected over KL Rahul; the other section feels KL Rahul was the incumbent keeper and should be given the first preference, especially with the World Cup 2023 this close.
KL Rahul is declared fit and will soon fly to Sri Lanka for the Super 4 round.
“Had Kohli or Rohit made 4 fifties…”: Gautam Gambhir makes a valid arguement in Ishan Kishan vs KL Rahul debate
Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir made it clear he backs Ishan Kishan to be picked over KL Rahul. Gautam Gambhir said that the big name doesn’t matter, and only form should be given important, and Kishan has the form on his side currently.
“To win the World Cup, name is more important or form? Had Kohli or Rohit made those four consecutive fifties, would you have said the same thing about KL Rahul? When you are preparing to win a World Cup, you don’t look at a name, you look at the form of a player that could win you the trophy,” Gambhir sai on Star Sports.
“Ishan has done everything possible to become the frontrunner. We are only making this argument because he hasn’t played as many international matches as Rahul. There have been many players who have lost their spot in the team due to injuries because their replacement player performed impressively. Few had to wait for their chances while other did not even get another chance. This is the reality. Yes Rahul is a proven player at No. 5 but for Ishan, who has never batted at that position comes in and score 82 against a bowling attack like Pakistan under that pressure, then you cannot compare the two at all,” Gambhir added.
