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Published 16:03 IST, September 22nd 2023

'Then simply open with him and forget it': Ex-India batter advises Rahul Dravid and Rohit

India take on Australia in the first ODI in Mohali on Friday. Former Indian opener lays down the perfect position for wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan.

Reported by: Anirban Sarkar
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Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma during the Asia Cup (Image: AP) | Image: self
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India take on Australia in the first ODI in Mohali on Friday. The Men In Blue will use this opportunity to prepare themselves for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. There were a number of surprising inclusions in the squad against Australia.

3 things you need to know

  • India lifted the Asia Cup as they defeated Sri Lanka in the final
  • India will take on Australia in Mohali in the 1st ODI
  • The Australians will also face India in the first World Cup match

Will Ishan Kishan play in the World Cup?

A lot of permutations and combinations have been tried and the Indian batting order is yet to be fixed. There are confusions regarding the positions of KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as both players are set to be included in the playing XI for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

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Also Read: IND vs AUS: Legendary India spinner wants R Ashwin to replace star all-rounder in ODIs

Aakash Chopra believes Ishan Kishan should bat in the middle order but he also claimed the Indian team will use both Kishan and Shubman Gill as openers.

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Aakash Chopra lays out the perfect position for Ishan Kishan

On his YouTube channel, he said, "As Virat Kohli is not there, Shreyas Iyer can come in at No. 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad should open and Ishan Kishan should bat in the middle order. If he is needed during the World Cup, you would like to see him in the middle order. But I feel India will open with Ishan and Gill. They make reels together and are expected to put up good partnerships as well.

Also Read: 'He was always in our plans': Rahul Dravid reserves his praise for Indian bowler

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“If you have considered Ishan Kishan as the third opener [for the World Cup], then simply open with Ishan Kishan and forget it. It doesn't manner what he has done and what he has not. There is a possibility that he might not play and Suryakumar Yadav might come into the middle-order if there's an opening. But I firmly believe that there should not be too many changes in terms of spots.

"People who have to play at certain position, try and make them bat there only as much as possible. If not, only then shuffle the order.”

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India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w/c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami

13:42 IST, September 22nd 2023