Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has questioned Team India’s choice to rest wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan for the fourth and fifth Twenty20 Internationals against Australia.
Ajay Jadeja also believes that the team’s management must give Ishan a continuous run in order for him to develop into a complete player. The left-handed hitter also played just two games in the ODI World Cup when Shubman Gill recovered from a sickness.
During a Sports Tak discussion, Jadeja stated:
“There was a series right after the World Cup. Ishan Kishan played three matches and went home. Was he really that tired after three matches that he needed rest? He didn’t even play a lot of games at the World Cup. He deserved his spot in the playing XI for the first few World Cup matches. How many Indian players have scored a double century on a good day?”
Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja suggested that if Ishan Kishan is ordered to rest after a few bouts, he will not be fit for critical games.
“Ishan Kishan didn’t even play the entire five-match T20I series against Australia. He was sent home after three matches to rest. So, if this is going to continue, how will you ensure that he is fully ready?”
Ajay Jadeja
Ishan Kishan scored 47 runs in two matches at the 2023 World Cup. He was given an opportunity when opener Shubman Gill was ruled out due to dengue fever.
The left-handed player showed great skill in the home T20I series against Australia. He scored 110 runs in three games, which included two scores over fifty.
Ajay Jadeja criticizes India’s lack of flexibility in 2023 World Cup final
Rohit Sharma and his team entered the 2023 World Cup final with a winning streak of ten games, including a semi-final triumph over New Zealand. However, in the top match, India was defeated by Australia by a humiliating six-wicket loss.
In response to the defeat, Ajay Jadeja stated that Australia were able to strategize effectively for India since the team took the same strategy throughout the competition.
“Australia didn’t have a set plan,” Ajay Jadeja added. “We have seen Glenn Maxwell come in at No. 3 after a big opening stand. They changed their No. 3 batter based on the opening partnership. India, on the other hand, stuck to the same approach, which is why Australia were able to make a plan.”
Ajay Jadeja
Australia won their sixth ODI World Cup after chasing down a 241-run mark in the final. Travis Head’s 137-run knock led his team to a historic triumph.