Ishan Kishan should be selected above KL Rahul in the starting XI for the 2023 ODI World Cup, according to former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, given his recent batting performances. Notably, the All-India Senior Men’s Selection Committee kept a core group of players from the Asia Cup team who will compete in the high-profile competition starting on October 5.
The think tank will have a difficult time choosing between Rahul and Ishan for their middle order. In a similar vein, Gambhir expressed his opinion in this regard, saying that Ishan is currently the front-runner to replace Rahul in the starting XI due to his recent hitting prowess.
What do you think is more crucial to winning a championship: name or form? Would you still say that KL Rahul would replace Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli if they had scored four straight 50s or anything similar? According to Gambhir, Star Sports.
The key is that you judge a player by their form rather than their name while you’re preparing to win the World Cup. You select the player who will excel and help you win the World Cup. I believe Ishan Kishan has fulfilled all requirements for a front-runner status, the speaker continued.
Ishan has been in excellent form lately, scoring 82, 77, 55, and 52 runs in his last four ODIs, respectively. Rahul, meanwhile, is back in the ODI lineup following a break caused by the knee injury he suffered in the IPL 2023. Notably, Rahul is expected to join the team for the upcoming match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage on Sunday, September 10.
Gautam Gambhir reaffirmed his position and claimed that Rahul would not be included in the lineup if players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were to replace Ishan.
“You’re arguing that KL Rahul should play before him just because he’s Ishan Kishan and hasn’t played much international cricket. Would KL Rahul be able to replace Ishan Kishan, though, if Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma were to step in? “‘No’ is the response,” Gambhir continued.
![[WATCH] IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer explains Punjab Kings' mindset after qualifying for playoffs; video goes viral](https://cricketmood.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1746372722595_Prabhsimran-Singh-and-Shreyas-Iyer.webp "[WATCH] IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer explains Punjab Kings' mindset after qualifying for playoffs; video goes viral 2")
India
