IND vs NZ 2023: Ishan Kishan will bat in the middle order, confirms Rohit Sharma

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has confirmed Ishan Kishan will bat in the middle order in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Kishan had scored a magnum opus knock of 210 runs in the third ODI against Bangladesh in 2022 but he could not get a chance in the playing XI against Sri Lanka.

However, with KL Rahul not available for New Zealand ODIs due to personal reasons, Kishan will take the wicket-keeping gloves. Kishan will look to make the most of his opportunity as he will be fully aware that runs in the ODI series against the Kiwis could help him secure his place in the Test playing XI against Australia.

As Shubman Gill had performed consistently in the series against Sri Lanka, he will continue to open the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma.

“Ishan will be batting middle-order, I’m glad that he can get a run here after a fine knock against Bangladesh,” the captain said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma added they will try to continue to improve as a team in the series against the Kiwis.

“Going into the series it’s pretty simple for us, we just want to keep improving as a team. Great opposition, great challenge, we can challenge ourselves to come out and achieve what we want to as a team. New Zealand is a very good team, they’re coming off a great series victory against Pakistan, so obviously they are playing some good cricket.”

Furthermore, Rohit was also in favor of starting matches early in India to avoid the dew factor. ODI matches start at 1:30 pm and ends around 9 pm in order to get more viewership. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had also suggested that the matches should start at 11:30 am in the upcoming ODI World Cup in order of avoid dew.

“I mean, it [having an early start] is a good idea because it’s a World Cup, right?,” Rohit said.

“You don’t want to compromise too much on the toss factor and you want to take that [advantage] completely away. I like that idea of an early start, but I don’t know if it’s possible.

The first ODI will be played in Hyderabad on Wednesday.