Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir breathed a sigh of relief as Ishan Kishan was persisted with in India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match against Pakistan. With KL Rahul being declared fit, there were questions over Ishan’s place in the team. However, India skipper Rohit Sharma found a place for both Ishan and Rahul in the playing XI as Shreyas Iyer had to miss the match due to a back spasm. Gambhir was relieved seeing Ishan not being sacrificed for Rahul after the sort of performance he had put against Pakistan in the last outing.
« It would’ve been unfortunate had Ishan Kishan missed out. Shreyas Iyer misses out due to back spasms. It is a great opportunity for KL Rahul, purely as a batter. He is coming off after a long layoff. I am sure he’ll be nervous but it will be a great opportunity again, » Gambhir said after the toss in a chat on Star Sports.
India skipper Rohit Sharma explained the changes in the team, with the returning Jasprit Bumrah also getting a spot in the playing XI, in favour of Mohammed Shami.
Despite the return of KL Rahul, Gambhir feels the Indian middle-order is ‘vulnerable’, especially against a quality pace attack like Pakistan.
« But India are looking vulnerable in the middle-order. They’ve got someone like KL Rahul batting at No. 4. He hasn’t batted for the last 7-8 months. Ishan Kishan has only batted once at No. 5. Then you’ve got Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, » Gambhir said.
« Pakistan would feel if they can get 2-3 early wickets, they will get into that shaky middle-order which can be a little iffy, » he added.
With Rahul, Ishan, and Iyer all competing for the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the Indian team, it is only possible for the management to give select two from the three.
India’s playing XI:Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
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