Ishan Kishan showed what India missed during the 2021 World T20, Asia Cup and 2022 World T20 and also, what will they need in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. His batting was brilliant to say the least against Bangladesh. If India needs to make an impact in the next couple of World Cups, they will have to change their approach and it must start rightaway. Inorder to change the approach, the team needs change in personnel. The current lot is still in the 90s. This is about the impact of Ishan’s innings.
Rohit Sharma, Rahul or Dhawan & Kohli at the top of the order are more or less of the same type. They need time to settle down before playing their shots. The game has changed beyond recognition. England are now the trendsetters. If it is white ball cricket, England are the firm favourites and they have proved that with 2 World Cups in 3 years. Not only that, the success in white ball cricket in non-ICC tournaments are an eye opener. It shows that their method is working.
Positive thinking
The energy and the positivity that Ishan brings to the team at the top is something that the team must utilise. There is no point in playing dated cricket. If you have to win a World Cup, you must find ways to defeat England. They will chase whatever score that is posted or they will set some unattainable targets. India needs personnel who can play positive cricket from the moment they enter the ground. Ishan Kishan has that confidence in abundance. The beautiful part of his innings was that having come near to scoring a rare double hundred, he didn’t take a step backwards and tried to get their with singles.
He continued in the same vein as to how he started. For someone who has played handful of games and who is not a regular team member, it speaks volumes of his ability to think and bat positively. The rate at which he scored was so quick that if only he had stayed till the end, even 300 could not have been ruled out. He himself said so
“Still feel when I got out, 15 overs were left and (I) could’ve scored 300 also.”
Michael Vaughan, who does not like the way India bats in white ball cricket, tweeted, “this is the way to play one day cricket in this era India”.
It is Shikar Dhawan who is looking quite vulnerable now. Rohit Sharma being the captain is assured of his spot though his run scoring off late has undergone a fall. Dhawan for all his exploits in ICC tournaments, just hasn’t got the game any longer. His strike rate this year is an abysmal 75. Compare that to Phil Salt or Buttler, it reveals a story. With Shubnam Gill also amongst the runs, Rohit himself may have to make way. Perhaps, Rohit’s innings during the 2nd ODI, where he smashed a quick 50 will probably be a curtain raiser for how the white ball team is going to evolve this year.
Wrapping up the impact of Ishan’s innings
With this innings, Ishan has broken down the door and he is demanding selection. The selectors and the team management will have to choose whether to replace Dhawan or Rahul. The Indian team needs infusion of fresh thoughts and fresh blood. Players who can play fearless cricket. Ishan fits that bill perfectly. It is time to break up the top 3. Ishan & Gill will complement each other quite well at the top. Kohli will perhaps have to move to number 4 and Surya at number 3. The first powerplay must be utilised completely. Especially in big games and tougher opponents.