Ishan Kishan, and nobody else, should be India’s preferred opener alongside Rohit Sharma in ODIs for the foreseeable future, according to former India batter Gautam Gambhir. When asked who he would want to see as Rohit’s opening partner, Gambhir responded, “I’m astonished we’re debating this, considering someone’s got a double-hundred in the previous innings.”
The topic has been covered. Ishan Kishan is the only candidate. Should play someone who, especially at [their] home, can get a double-hundred under those circumstances against a decent offensive. Beyond Ishan Kishan, no one else is visible. He needs to be given more time to run. He can do two tasks for you since he can also keep wickets. So in my opinion, that conversation shouldn’t be there.
I believe we would have been excited about someone else if they had received a double-hundred, but that is not the case with Ishan Kishan. Considering that we are currently discussing other players. That discussion is done for me.
Gambhir described his ideal India XI, saying that it was “very tough to see past Rohit and Ishan Kishan to start the batting, Virat at three, Surya at four, [and] Shreyas at five, because he’s been great in the last one-and-a-half years.” Yes, he has struggled with the short ball, but he has managed to handle it.
You can’t win every match, but if you can handle it and have the odds in your favour, you can’t go beyond Shreyas at No. 5 and Hardik [Pandya] at No. 6. Gambhir predicted that he will serve as a backup wicketkeeper and hitter. I don’t believe you can look beyond Surya at position No. 4.
Prithvi Shaw needs to be looked after
Additionally, Gambhir was unambiguous in his support for Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw, who is once again out in the cold. Since July of last year, Shaw hasn’t competed for India. With the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, he finished second in terms of runs scored with 336 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 181.42. Comparatively speaking, his 50-overs figures were less significant.
He’s had a sluggish start to the current Ranji Trophy, scoring 13, 6, and 19 in his first two games. When asked if Shaw’s reputation of being difficult to handle may have worked against him, Gambhir blamed the selectors and coaches for failing to provide him with direction and retain him in their plans. “What are coaches for, exactly? What use do selectors serve? Gambhir enquired.
Not simply to choose the team, likely to do those throwdowns, or to get them ready for the game. The selectors, coaches, and management are ultimately responsible for trying to assist these players. We all know how talented a person like Prithvi Shaw is. Most likely, they should put him on the proper path, and it is one of the management’s responsibilities.