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‘His target is to go to T20 World Cup as India's No.1 choice, not as a backup’: Graeme Swann backs Ishan Kishan
Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann believes Ishan Kishan would not be settled as the 'backup' option. The left-hander would want to go into the T20 World Cup as India's first-choice opener.
Ishan Kishan is the only player among all Test-playing nations to have scored more than 400 runs in T20Is in 2022 so far. 26, 15, 27, 54, 34, 76 are his scores in the last 6 T20Is that India have played. But as astonishing as it may sound, there is a slim (read almost no) chance that might retain his spot in the XI when Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul return. In the absence of regular captain Rohit - rested for South Africa and Ireland series - and Rahul - out with a right groin injury - Kishan has made the opening spot his own with power-packed performances at the top of the order. Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann, therefore, believes Kishan would not be settled as the 'backup'. The left-hander would want to go into the World Cup as India's first-choice opener.
"His (Ishan Kishan's) target is to be the opener in the World Cup. There's no player I know who wants to get there as backup. His stats speak for themselves. It's interesting that he's had such a good time at the international level, didn't have a good IPL by his standards," Swann said on Sony Sports Network.
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In the rain-curtailed 12-overs-a-side first T20I against Ireland, Kishan gave India a blistering start by smashing 16 off 11 balls in their 109-run chase. "There will be noway now that he will be thinking 'I'm not the backup' he would be saying "I wanna get in there as the No.1 choice'," Swann added.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja said Kishan has the best chance of making a case for himself as he bats at the top of the order.
"He will have to keep pushing. Virat Kohli has to come back, Rohit Sharma has to come back. Shikhar Dhawan was one of the captains of the side not too long ago, is nowhere in the scene. With the Indian cricket team I keep saying it, things change in a couple of months. You bring in something special to the team and suddenly you start putting pressure on the existing players. Ishan Kishan has the best opportunity as the openers get the best spot to bat in T20s," he said.
