'Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel Not Great In Middle-order': Ex-India Star Names Ideal Choice For World Cup

03.08.2023 - 09:13 sports.ndtv.com

Former India international Mohammad Kaif believes that Sanju Samson is fully equipped to bat in the the middle-order and should be in the final 15 for the ODI World Cup at home in October-November.

Samson smashed an impactful fifty under pressure in the series deciding third ODI against West Indies in Tarouba on Tuesday.

Battling for a middle-order spot alongside Suryarkumar Yadav, Samson delivered in a must-win situation to make a strong case for himself.

Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul's absence from the team due to injuries have provided the opportunities to the likes of Samson and Suryakumar, who had a forgettable series in the Caribbean.

cricket India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team cup Mohammad Kaif Ishan Kishan Sanju Samson Axar Patel Australia Ireland India

With exactly nine days left for the start of the 2023 Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce India's squad for the event on Monday. The squad announcement will take place during BCCI's meeting in Delhi, with both head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma part of the conversation. From Jasprit Bumrah's comeback in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland, to the fitnes off KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, the management will have plenty of tough calls to make before churning out the strongest-possible squad.

Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson Or KL Rahul - India's Wicket-Keeper Conundrum In Asia Cup 2023

The Indian cricket team squad for Asia Cup 2023 is most likely to be announced on Monday and questions still remain on the choice of wicket-keepers for the competition. Rishabh Pant provided India with a stable option in all three formats but his injury last year has resulted in multiple experiments in hunt for the perfect team composition. While Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson were provided opportunities from time to time, KL Rahul was also tried out as a makeshift option to open up space in the middle-order to play an extra batter in order to stabilise the young core of the team.

Can Virat Kohli Bat At No.4 For India In ICC World Cup 2023? Ravichandran Ashwin's Interesting Comment

Veteran Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has supported former head coach Ravi Shastri's suggestion that star batter Virat Kohli can end up batting at No. 4 if the team composition demands for it. Questions remain over the No. 4 batting position ahead of ICC World Cup 2023 with both KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer both recovering from injuries and Tilak Varma making a name for himself with brilliant knocks against West Indies. Ashwin said that apart from Kohli, India can end up playing a left-hander in the position or experiment with wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan.

"We Have A Better Middle-Order Than India": Ex-Pakistan Star's Bold Claim

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali feels that the Babar Azam-led side has a better and a more settled middle-order than India, heading into the Asia Cup and the subsequent. Basit said that India could face issues in the middle-order, something which has been evident in their performances of late. India head into the Asia Cup with both Shryeas Iyer and KL Rahul still undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Rishabh Pant's absence has also created a huge void in India's middle-order.

"He Opens Up The Game...": Sourav Ganguly Picks India's Wicketkeeper For ICC World Cup 2023

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has picked Ishan Kishan as the team's wicketkeeper-batter for the Asia Cup and the subsequent ODI World Cup on home soil. With Rishabh Pant out of action due to injuries sustained in a car crash last year, India are yet to finalise their first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the mega events. In his absence, India have a choice to make between Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and KL Rahul, who is currently out injured.

"Suryakumar Yadav And...": Ex-BCCI Selector Names Two Best Options For Middle-order At Asia Cup 2023

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim has backed Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan as the best replacement options at number 4 and 5 if the first-choice players are not fit in time for the Asia Cup and World Cup. India are expected to announce the squad for the Asia Cup in a few days and it remains to be seen if the preferred choices in Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul make the cut.