He's a two-in-one player: Ashwin lauds Kishan's versatility after batter included in India's CWC '23 squad

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has lauded Ishan Kishan and hailed his versatility after the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was named in India's 15-man squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Kishan pipped Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson to be included in the provisional squad along with keeper-batter KL Rahul. The young batter has been in solid form in the 50-over format with four successive half-centuries and confirmed his WC spot following a fine 82 versus Pakistan in India's Asia Cup 2023 opener, on September 02. 

Speaking on Kishan, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, "This is not a competition between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, because Kishan fills so many roles. When you pick a 15-member squad, you need to pick a backup wicket-keeper. Even when we pick a Ranji Trophy squad, we pick two wicket-keepers."

The 36-year-old Ashwin further highlighted that Kishan can bat anywhere and being a left-hander, he will add more variety to the line-up. It is to be noted that India have two left-handers in the form of Kishan and Ravindra Jadeja among their main batters -- Kuldeep Yadav is also a left-hander down the order -- going into the mega event. 

“Ishan Kishan is also a back-up opener along with being a back-up wicket-keeper, he is two-in-one player. Now that Ishan Kishan has succeeded at Number 5, it gives India two left-handers in the middle order. Everyone was going gaga over left-handers and they were saying Ishan Kishan cannot bat at No.5, but he has delivered now,” Ashwin added.

At present, Kishan-starrer India is gearing up for their first game in the Super Four round of the Asia Cup. The Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue will face Pakistan on September 10, in Colombo, and aim for a win to progress further. It will be interesting to see if India field both Rahul -- who is now fit and joined the squad in Sri Lanka -- and Kishan in the playing XI. 

After the Asia Cup, India will host Australia in three ODIs before playing their WC opener versus Pat Cummins & Co. on October 08 in Chennai. The World Cup kicks off in Ahmedabad with defending champions England taking on New Zealand on October 05.

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav

 

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