'There are some rare cases like that of Virat Kohli...': Ex-PAK skipper names India youngster who deserves a long rope

Sharing his views after the conclusion of the ODI series between India and Bangladesh, the former Pakistan skipper opined that the Team India star deserves a long rope from the Indian selectors.

After suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bangladesh in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series, Rohit Sharma-less Team India bounced back by winning the third and final encounter on Saturday. Replacing injured Indian skipper Rohit in the playing XI, opener Ishan Kishan smashed a stunning double century to help the visitors thrash Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

India's Virat Kohli, right, chuckle while leaving the field with his teammates (AP)

Launching an all-out attack on the Bangladeshi bowlers, wicketkeeper-batter Kishan smashed 210 off 131 balls while former Indian skipper Virat Kohli ended his ODI century drought in the recently concluded encounter between the two teams. The record-breaking centuries from Kohli and Kishan propelled Team India to a massive 409-run total in the 50-over contest. In reply, Bangladesh mustered 182 in 34 overs as the hosts lost the match by 227 runs.

Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt opined that a player like Kishan deserves a long rope from the Indian selectors. "There are some rare cases like that of Virat Kohli where you tend to back the player despite poor form due to the pressure they put on the opposition with their mere presence. However, the other players around them should be selected based on current form and that's why Ishan Kishan deserves a long rope. It's a fantastic performance and you shouldn't overlook it," Butt said.

Kishan shattered Chris Gayle's record by smashing the fastest double-century in men's ODIs on Sunday. Kishan's record-breaking double ton earned him the Man of the Match award in the 3rd ODI at Chattogram. Since his international debut in 2021, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has played 10 ODIs and 21 T20Is for Team India.

"Ishan Kishan played with the exact aggression and killer instinct that India have been wanting to show in their ultra-attacking approach. Their openers were very conservative in the last two World Cups and that puts pressure on the remaining batting line-up. They have such a huge pool of players but they also need to get it right in terms of which player to fit where," Butt added.