Gautam Gambhir opens up on Ishan Kishan's position in the batting order

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels that Team India should consider opening with the talented youngster Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma at the T20 World Cup 2022, with KL Rahul playing in the middle order. 

However, his comments came as Kishan smashed 34 runs off just 21 balls in the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday, June 12. The opener has given the team flying starts in both matches against the Proteas so far.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir was asked about Ishan Kishan's batting approach before getting out to a bouncer. He responded: "Absolutely. We will have to see if Team India persists with him when KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli come. Will you be tempted to start with him along with Rohit Sharma and play KL Rahul in the middle order? That is a temptation."

The veteran, however, backed Kishan and said that he should be given an extended run at the top of the order. However, apart from providing stunning starts, Kishan also gave Team India the option to play with a left-right opening combination. 

It will be interesting to see if the Indian team management chooses that route or sticks with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the top of the order.

Gambhir further added: "You always talk about an X-factor, a fearless approach, whether he scores runs or not, he (Kishan) brings a fearless approach. I will definitely want to persist with him. Australian conditions - bouncy wickets, he likes to play the pull shots, hits the length ball well. So you should probably persist with him till the World Cup."

Meanwhile, former Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar was asked about Ishan Kishan's dismissal against a short delivery in the game. However, he struggled slightly against swinging deliveries in the T20I series against the West Indies and IPL 2022. 

The swashbuckling opener was even left on all fours while being removed by Mukesh Choudhary in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. But, Bangar said that Kishan could be prolific in Australian conditions if he improves his front-foot game soon.

"I don't think there is a problem with how he plays the short ball. I feel he should pay more attention to the front foot shots; his back foot game is already settled. I believe if someone plays a destructive hook or pull shot in the Indian circuit after Rohit Sharma, it is Ishan Kishan. 

The more the bowlers feed him in that area, his confidence will keep on growing. He has to sort out his front foot game slightly. If he focuses more on the front foot game, I feel he can bat exceedingly well in Australian conditions," Bangar stated.