Azharuddin believes Ishan Kishan can fill in Rishabh Pant's shoes

Ishan Kishan (Source: AP Newsroom)

With the unfortunate injuries to Rishabh Pant, a place in India's Test squad for an attacking wicketkeeper-batter has opened up. 

While KS Bharat remains the top contender to replace Pant in the red-ball side, having been with the Indian set-up for over a year, Ishan Kishan could become a wild-card entry.

Kishan has been selected in India's squad for the first two Tests against Australia. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin believes that Kishan is a strong candidate for a place in the XI for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023.

Speaking to PTI, Azharuddin said that Kishan being left-handed added more dimension to the batting. 

Here's what Azharuddin said

“Ishan Kishan has been selected in the Indian Test team on his recent form I think he will be a stronger contender for wicket-keeper batsman option. He is a left-handed batsman,” 

Kishan's red-ball form in domestic cricket is commendable, having scored 180 runs in two Ranji Trophy 2022-23 appearances for Jharkhand.

​Overall, the Patna-born has played 48 First-Class matches and scored 2,985 runs with six centuries and 16 half-centuries to his name.

The Mumbai Indians player scored five runs against New Zealand in the ongoing first ODI today.

Also Read: Enjoy red-ball cricket, love playing according to situation: Ishan Kishan