India’s experienced wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik believes Rishabh Pant is a better batsman than Ishan Kishan at the number five position in the batting order. Karthik reckons if Kishan has to play in the T20 World Cup, he will need to open the innings.
However, there might not be any place for the southpaw as KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are expected to open the innings for the Indian team right throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant scored 419 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2021 while leading Delhi Capitals while Ishan Kishan struggled to get going except the final league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, in which he hammered 84 runs off just 32 balls for MI.
Furthermore, Pant has more International experience than Ishan Kishan and there will be huge expectations from him in the T20I showpiece. Pant has the skills to turn the match on its head with his blistering batting and he will look to hit the ground running.
Dinesh Karthik said while talking to Cricbuzz, “If Ishan [Kishan] plays, he has to open. There is no other spot for him in this batting order. I am saying that because the reason he was dropped from Mumbai Indians was that he was batting at No.4. I don’t think he enjoys batting in the middle-order as much as he likes opening.”
He continued: “It’s a different feeling when you cross the powerplay and play the spinners than when you walk out and see seven fielders outside. It’s different ball game altogether. Definitely, Rishabh Pant is a better batsman than Ishan Kishan at No.5.”
Pant will look to come up with his best and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team. The left-hander has taken giant strides in his International career in the last year and he will aim to deliver for the team in the marquee event.
On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has fewer chances of playing but he should be ready to grab his opportunities if he is called upon due to any injury woes, if there may be any in the latter stages of the tournament.
