My preference will be KS Bharat over Ishan Kishan because he can keep scoreboard ticking in Tests, reckons Aakash Chopra

Indian team is all set to host the mighty Australian team in the four-match Test series starting on February 9 in Nagpur. But in a huge blow for the hosts, they are missing out on their star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant due to a horrific car accident last month. Despite Pant's struggles in white-ball cricket, he was India's best batter in Tests last year. 

The management has named KS Bharat, Pant's deputy in the recent last few series, and young left-handed Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeping choices against Australia. When asked about his preferred choice in Tests, the former cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra picked KS Bharat over Ishan. He said that Bharat is a better keeper than Ishan but also added that the management might go with the latter if they want a lefty.

"If you need a better keeper then KS Bharat but if you need an explosive left-hand batter because we don't have a lefty in the top order, then I would say we can say, Ishan Kishan. Personally, my preference will be KS Bharat because he can keep the scoreboard ticking in Tests and we need someone who is going to be able to handle Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja's bowling behind the wicket," Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema's sports show 'Aakashvani'.

Ishan scored the fastest double hundred in ODIs against Bangladesh in December but has struggled in both white-ball formats since then. With Pant sidelined, Indian team misses a left-handed option in their top order, so Ishan can play a crucial impact role if he gets a nod over KS Bharat against Australia.

Its a toss-up between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson in T20Is: Aakash Chopra

Aakash also revealed his preference for wicketkeeper choice in ODIs and T20Is. He said that Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson will clash for a behind-stumps spot in the shortest format while KL Rahul should feature as a wicketkeeper in ODIs.

"In T20s, It's going to be a toss-up between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson and ODIs will obviously feature KL Rahul behind the wicket, there is no question about it," Aakash added.