‘Both cannot have a place in the XI’ - Irfan Pathan’s take on KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan’s spot
Pathan said that Rahul should be considered over Kishan, pointing out his exemplary ODI form in the last couple of years.
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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckoned that KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan cannot be included in India’s playing XI together as far as the ODI World Cup at home is concerned, stating they can only feature together if a player in the top-order is injured.
He added that otherwise one of them can only be added in the team since they are looking to get the same spot. The 38-year-old went on to say that Rahul should be considered over Kishan, pointing out his exemplary form in the last couple of years.
"Both cannot have a place in the XI. Both can only play if someone gets injured in the top order, which we don't want, or loses his form completely. I have only one thing to say about the ongoing debate," Pathan told Star Sports.
"Ishan Kishan scored runs against Pakistan at No. 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 innings," he added.
You shouldn't have short-term memory: Irfan Pathan
Pathan further stated that the Indian team should follow "long-term" thinking as "short-term" plans will cause instability in the squad.
"You shouldn't have short-term memory. You should have long-term thinking and I feel the thinking with which the management is going is absolutely correct because if you keep going with short-term memory, you will have a lot of difficulty in making the team, stabilizing it, and giving confidence to the guys," he added.
He suggested that in the initial phase of the ODI World Cup, Rahul should be chosen over Kishan. The 38-year-old believes that if Rahul lacks the ability to perform, Kishan should be used for the rest of the tournament.
"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, he will play," the former cricketer concluded.
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