India's Ishan Kishan could reportedly be promoted up the order to open the innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Saturday. This means that skipper Rohit Sharma would drop down the order as Shubman Gill could pair up with the wicket-keeper at the top of the order.
There's a widespread belief that Ishan holds promising potential as an opener, a sentiment shared by former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikant.
MORE: Bet on the Asia Cup 2023 here
The south-paw excelled at the top slamming three fifties in as many appearances against Wst Indies and was crowned with the player-of-the-series award.
What did K Srikant say about Ishan Kishan?
"You are playing against Pakistan. They have some terrific fast bowlers. You have to take your chances. You have give Ishan the license to go out and take the attack to the Pakistan bowlers," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
"That's why I am saying (for left-right combination), take a bold call and send Ishan Kishan to open the batting. Ask him to attack," he concluded.
MORE: LOL! Fans troll Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan after casual runout
What could be India's batting line-up against Pakistan?
If Kishan and Gill open the innings, then Virat Kohlis should be in at No. 3. The former skipper could be succeeded by either Shreyas Iyer or Surya Kumar Yadav, as determined by the think tank.
Then Rohit Sharma could bat lower down the bat and might have to shoulder a different kind of role than he is used to. It would not be surprising if we see him at No. 5 or 6 and the onus falls on him to accelerate at the death overs.
KL Rahul will miss the first two games and once he returns Sharma might have to bat further down the order.
It remains to be seen how coach Rahul Dravid places his ducks in the run-up to the World Cup.
What next for the Indian team?
The Indian team play their first match in the Asia Cup against rivals Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
MORE: Manjrekar sees possibility of Rohit batting down the order
