You can get Kishan as a reserve keeper who can bat in the middle order as well as be a backup opener for you: Saba Karim

Ishan Kishan was in form in the first ODI of the West Indies tour as he scored a powerful knock of 52 runs in 46 balls, including one six and seven boundaries. The young wicketkeeper-batter opened the innings alongside Shubman Gill as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma played lower down the order. Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim was impressed with Ishan’s performance and stated that he can be a reserve wicketkeeper in the Indian squad in the presence of KL Rahul for the 2023 ODI World Cup. 

Ishan Kishan played a fantastic knock in his maiden ODI game in July 2021 as he scored a fiery 50 to help the Indian side chase down the target of 263 against Sri Lanka. 25-year-old rose to fame and glory in 2022 when he scored the fastest double century in an ODI against Bangladesh. 

It is pertinent to mention that KL Rahul has been out of competitive cricket for the past few months and is expected to be India’s regular keeper in Rishabh Pant's absence in the World Cup, which is set to be held in India in October-November. 

“I did not expect him to open the innings. But good to see him being given the chance to open the innings and it adds to his value,I am presuming KL Rahul is your main wicketkeeper-batter and looking at Kishan as a backup gives the team so much of flexibility,” said Karim on Jio Cinema. 

Having smashed a quickfire half-century in the second Test against the West Indies, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is trusting Ishan's abilities. Now, with Rishabh Pant out of action till at least the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the Men in Blue are looking at Ishan as his potential replacement.  

“You can get Kishan as a reserve keeper who can bat in the middle order as well as be a backup opener for you. So, you do not have to pick another backup opener in your team. Because it becomes so challenging to pick 15 players, it comes in very handy. As he has spent more time in the middle, his confidence as a batter and keeper has increased,” Karim further added. 

Now, in the three matches ODI series, the Indian side has won the first game by five wickets. Left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was declared Player of the Match for his figures of 4/6 in three overs. The second ODI game will be played at the same venue on July 29.