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'Ishan should play at No. 5...,' Ex-Indian Pacer Wants India To Try Ishan Kishan In Middle Order

image-ll56cyvhIshan Kishan had a wonderful ODI series against West Indies

Amidst growing concerns about KL Rahul's availability for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup, Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan is increasingly being seen as the best-suited replacement.

RP Singh weighs in on Ishan Kishan's role in ODIs

Kishan, who has recently turned heads with his splendid performance against the West Indies, bagging the Player of the Series award, is on course to be a mainstay in the Indian lineup.

However, the complexities of team dynamics and existing opening partnerships have spurred former Indian pacer, RP Singh, to suggest a strategy shift. Singh believes that Kishan's talents could be better harnessed in the middle order.

While the young stumper has largely been groomed as an opener, the duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill already holds that fort. Given this scenario, accommodating Kishan at the number five slot could be the team's golden ticket to both flexibility and depth.


During an interaction with JioCinema, Singh reckoned that if Rahul is unavailable in the future, Ishan Kishan could serve as a backup option. Hence, according to him, he should focus on honing his abilities for batting in the No. 5 position.

“According to me, Ishan should play at No. 5 if you see him at No. 5 for the (ODI) World Cup. If KL Rahul is unavailable in the future, Ishan Kishan is his backup option. So he has to learn to play at No. 5."

The erstwhile bowler further mentioned that when Rohit is part of the team, it is probable that he will pair up with Gill at the top. He opined that even though Gill's performance might not have been as impressive as hoped, if they do indeed open, it means that Kishan would have to bat down the order.

"When Rohit Sharma is in the lineup, he and Shubman Gill are likely to be the opening pair. Despite Gill's slightly disappointing performance, if they do open, it leaves Ishan Kishan with a spot lower in the batting order."

Ishan Kishan would be aiming to boost his World Cup chances further in the Asia Cup starting on August 31.