Ishan Kishan’s chances of making it to the T20 World Cup in 2024 will be slim to none, according to former all-rounder Irfan Pathan. He believes that Kishan’s preferred batting position will make it difficult. India have two wicketkeepers in IND vs SA T20 series and both Jitesh Sharma and Ishan Kishan are fighting for a spot.
Pathan believes that Jitesh has a clear edge over Ishan in the shortest format, as there is a lot of competition for the opening slot, which the southpaw prefers.
“I will play Jitesh hands down. I have maintained from earlier that if you have to play Ishan, whether it is ODIs or T20Is, you have to play him at the top, and there is a traffic jam at the top,” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.
No place for Ishan Kishan?
This veteran all-rounder believes that Ishan will have a tough time getting a spot as he has had a bit of trouble batting in the middle-middle order. On the other hand, Jitesh is a creative batsman, he said, comparing him to Suryakumar Yadav.
“It’s very difficult for Ishan Kishan to make his place. This is my belief. I don’t know at all what the team management thinks but his ability that I have judged for many years, I feel he needs the hard new ball and then he plays spin well.
“When you bat in the middle order, you will get spin in front of you, and there you (Kishan) might have difficulties at times. Jitesh Sharma is a slightly creative player. He is a Suryakumar Yadav-mold type player. You will see him playing the lap and different types of shots,” Pathan added.