No competition between Ishan Kishan and…’: Ashwin | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The selectors’ decision to include Ishan Kishan in India’s 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup garnered praise from all quarters with Ravichandran Ashwin saying the young batter seems to have settled the debate of No. 5 batting position after his knock against Pakistan.
Kishan bailed India out from a precarious position with a sensible 82-run knock against arch-rivals in the Asia Cup encounter in Pallekele.

Star spinner Ashwin hailed Kishan’s versatility saying he is two-in-one player and there was no competition for the World Cup spot between Sanju Samson and Kishan.

“This is not a competition between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, because Kishan fills so many roles. When you pick a 15-member squad, you need to pick a backup wicket-keeper. Even when we pick a Ranji Trophy squad, we pick two wicket-keepers,” Ashwin said on his Youtube channel.
Ashwin opines that Kishan offers India two left-handers options in the middle with Ravindra Jadeja being the other one.

“Ishan Kishan is also a back-up opener along with being a back-up wicket-keeper, he is two-in-one player. Now that Ishan Kishan has succeeded at Number 5, it gives India two left-handers in the middle order. Everyone was going gaga over left-handers and they were saying Ishan Kishan cannot bat at No.5, but he has delivered now,” Ashwin added.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra also offered his perspective on why Kishan rightfully earned his spot in the 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

“Ishan Kishan doesn’t get many opportunities, but when he does, there’s pressure on him. He has scored a double century, and even after that, we don’t see him getting many chances, which is a fact because he wasn’t included in the very next series after his double century. Where Ishan will bat in this team is a separate issue, dependent on various circumstances but he has understood the pulse of the ODI format,” said Chopra on JioCinema’s sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’.