Irfan Pathan backs KL Rahul over Ishan Kishan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan chooses KL Rahul over Ishan Kishan.

Coming in as KL Rahul’s replacement in India’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan, wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan made great use of the opportunity. Ishan Kishan scored 82 runs in 81 balls and added 138 runs along with Hardik Pandya to take India out of a crisis. With KL Rahul now joining Indian camp, there’s a debate around whether team management should stick with Ishan Kishan for more time or whether KL Rahul should make his comeback after a 5-months injury break. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are also part of India's 15-members World Cup squad. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan made a big statement on the ongoing debate.

Irfan Pathan backs KL Rahul

Irfan Pathan praised Ishan Kishan for his splendid performance against Pakistan in the middle-order but preferred KL Rahul for his past performances in the same batting position. Irfan Pathan said, "Ishan Kishan scored against Pakistan at Number 5, which is not his position. God forbid if he gets out in the next match, will we say he is not in form? No, that’s not the case. We forget very quickly; we should never forget KL Rahul’s numbers for the last two years, and Ishan Kishan has played one inning." KL Rahul has been a prolific run-scorer for team India as a wicket-keeper and No. 5 batter in the middle-order.

Earlier, Indian captain Rohit Sharma said in the press conference that if the situation allows, he can go in with both of them together in the same playing XI as well. Former Indian all-rounder, while speaking on Star Sports show, said, "Both cannot have a place in the XI. Both can play if someone gets injured in the top order, which we don’t want, or loses his form completely." Team India’s playing XI looks almost fixed with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul coming back. KL Rahul missed the first two games for India in Asia Cup league round. He got a niggle and recovered just before India’s World Cup squad selection.

KL Rahul has played 18 one-day international games for India at the No. 5 position with gloves on while fielding. Rahul has scored 742 runs at an average of 53.00, with one century and seven half-centuries. Irfan Pathan added, "You just have to keep in mind that if KL Rahul comes and plays and doesn’t get his form, then you can say that he didn’t regain his form after injury, and you can give Ishan Kishan the entire World Cup. However, as soon as KL Rahul comes in, he will play." KL Rahul will be making his comeback after a 5-months gap in the field. He got injured during a game in IPL 2023.