Harbhajan Singh feels Ishan Kishan should open with Rohit

In the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2021 game against New Zealand, veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the men in blue must make team changes. Because the loser of this match is virtually surely out of the World Cup, both sides have lost their initial matches and a defeat from here would drastically reduce their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.

As Harbajan Singh put it on his Youtube channel, if it were up to him, the left-handed keeper-batter Ishan Kishan would be in the XI, KL Rahul would bat at no. 4, and Rohit Sharma would begin with the left-hander.

Harbhajan Singh said, “According to me, it is necessary that Ishan Kishan be in the playing XI. If he opens with Rohit Sharma, India can have the start which they are currently looking for. Kishan is an explosive batsman, will put pressure on any bowler. He is in good form also. He played some good knocks for Mumbai Indians towards the end of IPL and was looking solid in the warm-up game as well.”

Ishan Kishan recently hit three consecutive fifties for Mumbai Indians, first twice in the IPL's last two games, and then an unbroken 70 against England during India's warm-up match.

India should keep Hardik Pandya despite his inability to contribute with the ball, according to Harbajan Singh, who also indicated that Kishan may replace Suryakumar Yadav. In addition, Pandya is one of the finest finishers, according to Harbajan, who believes that if he can rediscover his form, he would be a formidable opponent to face.

“If Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma open the innings and Virat Kohli comes in at No.3, KL Rahul can bat at 4 as well. The top 4 will be very solid. Pant should continue at 5 and Pandya is such a player, that if he finds his groove, he can leave any batsman behind. Pandya should be played even as a pure batsman at No.6. If we speak about the best batsmen in the No.6 and No.7 position, Hardik Pandya’s name comes up without question," Harbhajan concluded.