IND vs NZ: Ishan Kishan opens up on comparison with Shubman Gill

India batter Ishan Kishan has opened up on his comparison with fellow teammate Shubman Gill ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 18, 2023.

After Rohit Sharma had opted for Shubman Gill for the opener's slot over Ishan for the series against Sri Lanka, there was quite a bit of hullabaloo regarding the same. Ishan, however, has a different approach towards the same.

Can't just ask for the opener's slot: Ishan Kishan

"I just can't go there and ask for an opening slot because we know how much competition is going on with everyone doing well for the team. So now that I may get the opportunity in the middle order, I will look to help my team win from those tough situations", Kishan said, speaking in a video segment named 'On The Road with Ishan Kishan' on Star Sports. 

Here is the video :-

Talismanic batter @ishankishan51 relishes a new challenge in the Mastercard #INDvNZ ODI Series. 😎

Will he taste success in his new batting position?

Tune-in to the 1st ODI, today, 12:30 PM onwards on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar.#BelieveInBlue #FollowTheBlues pic.twitter.com/Xwyiem9bWp

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 18, 2023

Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the ODI leg of the New Zealand series because of a back injury and since there is no Kl Rahul in the squad, Ishan is expected to to play in the middle-order throughout the ODI series. 

"I think it is a good opportunity for me to prove myself in the middle order. I know people think that I am good as an opener, but I want to prove myself at No. 4 or No. 5 and take my team out of a tough situation. If the team is in a good situation, then I want to go out there and play my shots," the 24-year-old further added.

India’s Playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (vc), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj

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