Ishan Kishan may get a chance on Motera’s batting friendly wicket

In view of Kona Bharat’s poor batting performance in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy and the pitch being considered relatively batting friendly at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, the Indian team management has selected Jharkhand wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan for the fourth and final Test match. Can make it to the playing XI.

Bharat was being groomed as a backup to Rishabh Pant for the last one year and has been a regular member of the India A team. However, he could only manage scores of 8, 6, 23 not out, 17 and 3 in five innings in the first three Tests against Australia. His wicketkeeping, however, was impressive on slow and turning wickets. It is a different matter that in Indore he got caught in some balls. But scoring only 57 runs in five innings has not been a profitable deal for the Indian team, that too when Indian batsmen are struggling to score runs on turning pitches.

Head coach Rahul Dravid spent a lot of time with Kishan during his net practice on Tuesday. The Indian team’s net session, however, did not clearly reflect the thinking of the team management and Bharat was rested in the optional practice session on Tuesday. However, he is likely to take part in the practice session on Wednesday. The Motera wicket looks batting friendly and even if it has bounce, it will suit Kishan’s aggressive style of batting and in such a situation the team management can give him a chance.

Having two off-spinners in Australia’s team only goes against Kishan as he finds it difficult to play outside-turn balls. But this has happened in limited overs cricket where they have to be aggressive from the start.