Whole management including Rohit Sharma took the decision to let Ishan Kishan open: Vikram Rathour

In the match against New Zealand, Ishan Kishan had replaced Suryakumar Yadav who was unfit for the game. However, what surprised the cricketing fraternity was the team’s decision to open the innings with Kishan with Rohit Sharma batting at three. India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour has now opened up on this decision of the management.

The keeper batter came in to bat with KL Rahul which pushed Rohit Sharma down the order. Sharma’s heroics with the bat are known to all. He is arguably one of the most dominating players in white-ball cricket. Thus, the decision of opening the innings with Kishan did not go quite well with the cricket on-lookers and experts.

Rathour stated that the leadership group including Sharma were all involved in the decision-making process. He also added that Kishan has done well in IPL whilst opening the batting and that tempted them to make the move.

“Suryakumar Yadav was having some back spasm. He was not fit enough for the match. The whole management took the call to send Ishan as an opener and, of course, Rohit was part of the decision. Ishan has done well as an opener in the IPL as well as in the practice matches, that’s why he has been sent as an opener,” Vikram Rathour said in the pre-match press conference.

We were not able to execute our plans, says Vikram Rathour

Team India has faced two straight defeats in the T20 World Cup 2021. After facing a loss against Pakistan in the opening fixture of the mega event, the side also lost the crucial game to New Zealand. The batting lineup of the team struggled to make an impact as the team could manage just 110 runs at the end of 20 overs.

Their performances in the mega event have placed them under major scrutiny. Rathour asserted that the team wasn’t able to execute their plans in the high-profile tournament. When asked about the preparations he pointed that the team was always prepared for the matches.

“We were not able to execute our plans in the last two games, which has really hurt us. That’s not the issue at all. Preparation has always been there,” Rathour added.