CHENNAI: Ishan Kishan has added another chapter to his amazing comeback story. Having put in an impressive display in the T20 World Cup earlier this year after forcing his way back into India’s plans, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman is now making it impossible to ignore in the ODI format as well.Ishan, who played ODIs after nearly three years, made his debut with 34 runs at number three in the series opener against Afghanistan. In the second ODI, at number four, he went several steps further, producing a brilliant 125 off 79 balls to make a compelling case in a series where India is experimenting with batting innings.
With the hosts heading into the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday having already finished the series 2-0, the dead rubber serves as the perfect canvas for Ishan, who replaced the injured Virat Kohli, to bolster his stakes.While injured in the previous match, the 27-year-old showed glimpses of how he will develop as a 50-over batsman.But his re-emergence poses a “problem of plenty” for the team management, who are yet to name the squad for the ODI matches in England. With Kohli expected to regain his usual No. 3 position and KL Rahul remaining India’s preferred wicket-keeper at first choice, the chances look limited on paper. But, according to India assistant coach Ryan Ten Deutschat, Ishan ticks a lot of boxes “I think with Ishan, the only worry was ‘Can he transform himself from a T20 specialist into a 50-over player, maybe even a red-ball player?’ I think he has shown that.
By nature, he is very aggressive and we still feel he has room for that in this team. You have some strong batsmen around him if you include Virat and Shubman (Gill).
“We feel that the model for this format is to have players who are still going after it,” the coach said.Harshit however is unlikely to playMeanwhile, Ten Dewchat also revealed that Nitish Kumar Reddy might return after missing the previous ODI, while Arshdeep is set to be rested. Fast bowler Harshit Rana, who has been added to India’s squad for the third ODI, is unlikely to feature.