3 reasons why Ishan Kishan replacing KL Rahul for WTC final is the wrong move
Young left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has replaced KL Rahul in India's squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. This match is slated to be held at The Oval, starting on June 7.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee included Ishan after Rahul suffered an injury to his right upper thigh while fielding during the IPL 2023 between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1.
Rahul will now undergo surgery and will then follow rehab at the National Cricket Academy. KS Bharat is the other wicketkeeper in the squad, but it was largely believed that Rahul would have donned the gloves in the final.
On that note, we take a look at the three reasons why Ishan Kishan is a wrong inclusion in India’s Test squad.
#3 Ishan Kishan struggles against seam and swing
In his limited career so far, Ishan Kishan has shown a tendency to struggle when the ball pitches and seams or swings away from him. Although he looks to attack, bowlers have tried to seam the ball away from him and he is generally left fishing at these deliveries.
The conditions in England will assist the seamers and if it is a cloudy day Ishan will have his task cut out against the star-studded Aussie pace attack.
Although the Indian management would want Ishan to take on the bowlers, the left-handed batter will have to work really hard against pace and quality seam bowling.
#2 Better option in Wriddhiman Saha
As far as wicketkeeping is concerned, there are only a few better options in India other than Wriddhiman Saha. The Bengal man was solid behind the stumps and his technical prowess would have been useful in England – especially against the swinging ball.
Apart from this, Saha has been in sensational hitting form in the ongoing edition of the IPL. In Gujarat Titans' last two wins, he has been the main factor in the powerplay.
Against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on a flat Ahmedabad deck, Saha blasted 54 of the 78 runs smashed in the first six overs and was absolutely creaming the bowlers. He could have been given an opportunity considering his experience and recent run of form with the bat.
#1 Issues against the short ball
Ishan Kishan has his issues against the short ball. Although he looks to take on bowlers and can play the odd pull or hook shot, but if the plan is executed perfectly, the left-hander has had his share of struggles.
Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has already pointed this out when he said that the left-handed batter will be an easy target against concerted short-pitched stuff.
"I think he was rattled by the blow he got. Don't forget, in the past, he had been hit on the helmet. It actually is not a good sign because it means, in places like Australia and South Africa where there is extra bounce, he is going to be like a rabbit caught in the headlights,” Gavaskar said.
Ishan Kishan averages 38 in 82 first-class innings. This is an indication that he has not managed to score big against the red ball on relatively flat Indian pitches. He has only managed to score six centuries so far in first class cricket and this jump to Test cricket could be a tough transition for him.