India should persist with Ishan Kishan for T20 World Cup: Gautam Gambhir

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir reckons India must persist with Ishan Kishan in the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2022 even after the return of senior top-order batters KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gambhir feels that Kishan, with his ability to play backfoot shots, would be useful in the bouncy pitches of Australia.

Gambhir added that Kishan must be in the team for his fearless approach and x-factor that the 23-year-old can offer, whether or not he scores runs. The World Cup-winner also talked about the possibility of Kishan opening alongside Rohit and Rahul batting in the middle order.

Ishan Kishan brings in that fearless approach: Gautam Gambhir

“The question is, when KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return, will the Indian team persist with them? Because you always talk about x-factor and about having a fearless approach. Whether he scores runs or not, he brings in that fearless approach,” said Gambhir on Star Sports. 

“Will they be tempted to start with him and Rohit and play KL Rahul in the middle order. But I would want to persist with him in Australian conditions where there will be bouncy wickets and he loves to pull off the backfoot and he hits the length ball very well. I think they should persist with him for this T20 World Cup. If he is in the scheme of things they play him till the World Cup,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kishan had a decent outing with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year as he scored 418 runs at an average of 32.15. The southpaw has also started the ongoing T20I series against South Africa brightly, scoring 110 runs in the first two games at a strike rate of over 159. 

In the second game, while the rest of the top-order batters struggled to get going, Kishan scored a quickfire 34 runs off just 21 balls. The southpaw has so far scored 55 runs in 41 balls in the powerplay across the two T20I games, which just might be the approach India is looking for in the openers for the World Cup. Meanwhile, India is currently trailing by 0-2 in the five-match T20I series against the Proteas and will play their third match on June 14 (Tuesday) in Visakhapatnam.