‘Have to make room for Ishan Kishan in playing XI’:Ian Bishop hopes India’s bowlers ‘lift their game’ in T20 World Cup

Among other things, one of India’s biggest strengths has been Ishan Kishan’s explosive form going into the T20 World Cup. A solid Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning campaign was followed by a national recall after two years and Ishan, honestly, has not looked back. Recently, the left-hander smashed his maiden T20I century in the fifth T20I against New Zealand and with him in this kind of form, Ian Bishop feels that he has to be part of India’s playing XI in the T20 World Cup. That Ishan would open the innings for India was confirmed by captain Suryakumar Yadav during a pre-match press conference. India open their campaign in the T20 World Cup against the USA on 7 February in Mumbai. Ishan Kishan has to be in the playing XI, says Ian Bishop “I think he is giving them a good headache. And those are the headaches that coaches want. They prefer to have those tough decisions to make for players in good form rather than players in poor form,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said, during a media interaction before the T20 World Cup. “So I think if Ishan is playing that well, you have to make room for him. T20 is a game that you have to go with guys in form,” he added. Ishan also made an impact with the bat with a 20-ball 53 in India’s only warm-up match, which was against South Africa on 3 February. Ian Bishop hopes India’s bowlers can ‘lift their game’ in T20 World Cup While India’s batting has been absolutely breathtaking, the bowling department has not fired in recent times. The pacers proved to be very expensive in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The spinners, particularly Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, took eight wickets combined in the series. But Bishop backed India’s bowlers to improve their game in the T20 World Cup. “From a bowling perspective, I still would back India’s bowlers. The bowlers know the conditions from a bowling perspective. I rate Kuldeep very highly. Yes, he has had a difficult run. India would be hoping that the bowlers can lift their game come the big tournament.” “You have so much cricket now. It’s unwise to judge guys in bilateral series when players are trying to peak for ICC tournaments. Fans will have to hold faith and believe that the options India have will take them deep into the tournament in trying to defend their title,” he added. West Indies have not developed potent bowling attack, says Ian Bishop Bishop also went on to add that the team with the greatest bowling depth could go on to win the T20 World Cup. “Bowling, as to me, is one of the defining factors in this World Cup because you look at England, you look at New Zealand, they all have power hitters, as well,” he said. The former cricketer added, “So I think the team that has the greatest bowling depth in addition to their batting could be the one that wins the World Cup.” However, he also felt that although the West Indies have a number of power-hitters, they have not developed a strong bowling unit yet. “West Indies have not yet developed that group of potent bowlers that they have been hoping to by this stage,” he stated.
Which team can challenge India in the T20 World Cup? Ian Bishop answers While India have been heavily tipped as a favourite to win the T20 World Cup, which other team or teams could really pose a challenge to the Men in Blue? “Look, I believe that England, if they get both sides of the game together, could be a threat because they have a game that suits T20 cricket and personnel to do it,” he said. “South Africa, finalists in the last World Cup, are also trending nicely from their point of view. New Zealand have been on the subcontinent for a while now. Don’t underestimate them.” “West Indies have the power hitting and the depth if they don’t have the bowling. So I think there are four or five nations that can challenge India because they have as much batting depth. The question will be whether they have the variety of bowling that India can produce,” he added.