‘Ishan Kishan on KS Bharat because..’, Mohammad Kaif decodes why Team India needs aggressive wicket-keeper batsman for WTC final

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his preference for Ishan Kishan instead of KS Bharat in the playing XI for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Kaif stressed on the need for a batsman who can play aggressive shots at number six, especially against the old Dukes ball. India is scheduled to face Australia in the much-anticipated final from June 7-11, 2023. With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul injured, India need to decide between Bharath and Kishan as their wicketkeeper for this crucial match. Though Bharath performed the wicketkeeping duties in India’s triumphant 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win against Australia earlier this year, left-handed batsman Kishan is yet to make his Test debut.

preparation, adaptation and involvement #WTC23 final drain _

Hear from Paras Mhambrey, T Dilip and Vikram Rathore #TeamIndiaPreparation before the very important match ____ – By @rajal arora

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“In my opinion, I would play Ishan Kishan over KS Bharat because you want someone who can play aggressive shots at number six like Rishabh Pant used to do,” Kaif was quoted as saying by Star Sports.

Bharath had earlier played in England as part of the India A side in 2018 and was also included in the main squad during last year’s tour, where he scored an unbeaten 70 and went wicketless in the tour match against Leicestershire. duties were fulfilled. Kishan, on the other hand, is yet to play a competitive first-class cricket match in England.

Kaif also shared his thoughts on the rest of India’s batting line-up for the World Test Championship final. He suggested that Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma should open the innings, followed by Cheteshwar Pujara at number three due to his experience at that position. Virat Kohli will bat at number four, followed by Ajinkya Rahane, who is set to make a comeback in the team.

The selection dilemma for India lies in choosing between a pace all-rounder in Shardul Thakur or a spin all-rounder in Ravichandran Ashwin. Kaif mentioned that if the conditions at The Oval favor the spinners, he would pick Ashwin.

“At number seven, I will play Jadeja, and at number eight, I will choose between Ashwin and Shardul depending on the condition of the pitch. If the pitch is spin-friendly, Ashwin can play left-handers like Warner, Travis Head, and can target effectively. Khawaja, creating a favorable match-up,” explained the former India batsman. “For the fast bowlers, I will go with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav at number 11. This will be my favorite playing XI for the final as it is early June, and we need three fast bowlers along with Jadeja. And either Ashwin or Shardul, depending on the weather forecast,” concluded Kaif.