Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ishan Kishan was handed a maiden call-up to India’s Test squad. The youngster was picked in the squad as Rishabh Pant’s replacement as India’s first-choice keeper has been ruled out after being seriously injured during a car crash last month.
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Recently during the Bangladesh series Kishan struck a stroke filled double century. Following that, the youngster didn’t find place along side Rohit Sharma for the Lankan series, with Shubman Gill being picked ahead of him. Captain Rohit had said that the team wasn’t undermining Kishan’s explosive show, but they wanted to give Gill a fair chance.
The young wicketkeeper-batter didn’t have to wait to long as he was handed his maiden Test call-up for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Is he the ideal candidate to come in place of Pant? Does he have the temperament to make a place for himself in the Indian test team. According to former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, Kishan is a strong contender in Rishabh Pant’s absence.
Ishan Kishan is a strong contender: Azhar
Speaking to PTI, Azhar said, “Ishan Kishan has been selected in the Indian Test team on his recent form. I think he will be a stronger contender for the wicket-keeper batsman option. He is a left-handed batsman.”
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Kishan was picked alongside Suryakumar Yadav. The duo who have been explosive in the shorter formats will be playing their maiden Test match. Can they replicate their form here? Well, that’s a wait and watch game. While Kishan is a like-for-like replacement for Pant, the pair will bring the attacking option in the Indian line-up. Though if we dig deep, KS Bharat will likely debut in the first Test, ahead of Ishan Kishan.
Kishan has been explosive in the shorter formats of the game, but his number in first-class batting doesn’t speak volumes. But on the other hand, having played for Jharkhand in a few Ranji Trophy matches, which included a ton in one, Kishan might just repay the faith the selectors have instilled in the youngsters.
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