Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has made a strong case for a selection shake-up ahead of the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, urging the team management to back Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson as preparations intensify for the T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson’s struggles continued in the ongoing series, with another modest return in the fourth T20I adding to a run of low scores. In contrast, Kishan has impressed on his return to international cricket after nearly two-and-a-half years, prompting Patel to call for a decisive move.
“If I was part of Team India’s think tank, I would play Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson for the last match of the series,” Patel said on JioHotstar. “I would make Sanju sit out and go with Ishan as the wicketkeeper-batter.”Patel stressed that if Kishan is being viewed as India’s primary wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup, he should be handed responsibility immediately. “If I want Ishan as my main keeper for the T20 World Cup, I would give him the keeping gloves in the fifth T20I and the warm-up against South Africa too,” he said.Highlighting squad balance, Patel added that Tilak Varma’s expected return from injury could further complicate selection calls. “It is likely that Tilak Varma will be fit before the World Cup, and reports suggest he will be. If he is fully fit, you have to keep a spot for him. So, if that decision is coming, why wait? Play Ishan Kishan now over Sanju Samson in the final match.”
Poll
Should India prioritize Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson for the final T20I against New Zealand?
Kishan has looked in ominous touch, scoring 112 runs in three matches, after a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign where he led Jharkhand to their maiden title. Samson, meanwhile, has managed just 40 runs across four innings, including a 24 in the fourth T20I that failed to rescue India in a 216-run chase.Despite Kishan’s form, he was benched in the fourth match, a decision that has drawn scrutiny with the World Cup fast approaching. “Ishan is coming back after two years and has batted well. He will need to keep wickets in the T20 World Cup as well, so why not start now?” Patel said.India face New Zealand in the series finale on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram, having already sealed the five-match series 3-1.
