Leading run-scorer for the franchise in their triumph in UAE last year, Ishan Kishan, has not had a good start to the campaign. The youngster struggled immensely in the slow Chepauk track and found himself out of the side during MI’s win over RR in Delhi.
Replacing him in the batting line-up was Krunal Pandya, who put in a decent shift and played his part by scoring 39 off 26 while chasing a target of 172.
However, former India opener Aakash Chopra wishes to see Ishan Kishan back in the playing eleven for MI for their crunch fixture against rivals CSK. Chopra wishes to see Kishan bat at his usual No.4 position rather than Krunal Pandya.
“It was certainly interesting that they dropped in the last match. They have enough bowlers but Krunal Pandya batting at No.4. Personally, I don’t like the idea. Not that I don’t like Krunal Pandya but my issue is that if you are playing him to bat at No.4, then Ishan is better.
Chopra was also puzzled by Krunal Pandya’s role in the current squad as a bowler. The all-rounder was only given a solitary over to bowl off which he conceded 12 runs. With the CSK unit possessing several left-handers in the form of Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suresh Raina, Chopra suggested that MI should drop Krunal Pandya for Ishan Kishan.
“If that is the case, you should continue to play Jayant, keep the rest also the same and get Ishan Kishan instead of Krunal. Ishan looked alright in Chennai also, he was not doing that bad. Other than that, I don’t see scope of any other change in this team,” concluded Chopra.
CSK are currently on a five-game winning streak while MI returned back to winning ways. The defending champions struggled on the sluggish Chepauk track, but looked in command at the rather docile pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Skipper Rohit Sharma also addressed the case of adapting and expects the under-performing middle order to take advantage of the good surface on show.
“Playing the conditions well is important, we didn’t adapt well in Chennai, but we knew once that leg ended, we were going to play on good pitches. These conditions [in Delhi] allowed our batters to come out and play the game they knew well,” Rohit said
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