WTC Final 2023: Ishan Kishan should be considered ahead of KS Bharat, says Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh wants India to play Ishan Kishan ahead of KS Bharat in the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia. With KL Rahul ruled out of the WTC Final, either Ishan Kishan or KS Bharat will keep wickets for India in the summit clash against Australia.

KS Bharat was given the gloves in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia but the right-hander failed to grab his chances on challenging wickets, which offered turn to the spinners.

On the other hand, Kishan scored 454 runs in 15 matches at an average of 30.27 and a strike rate of 142.76, including three fifties in IPL 2023, and played a key role in taking Mumbai Indians to the playoffs.

Kishan has scored 2985 runs in 48 first-class matches at an average of 38.76 and it will be interesting to note if he gets a chance in the final XI against Australia in the WTC final.

But, Kishan hasn’t yet made his Test debut at the top level, and throwing him in the mix could be asking too much from the youngster. However, Kishan is known for his aggressive batting and he has the skills to turn the match on its head.

The Turbanator reckons Kishan can provide batting depth to the Indian team and he can tackle the new ball with more confidence.

“Why Ishan Kishan should be considered ahead of Bharat? I think this will add more strength to batting as Ishan Kishan can tackle the new ball much better than Bharat. He is an opener too and is in good form. So if the second new ball is introduced after 80 overs and Ishan walks out to bat he can play as an opener.

The former veteran spinner doesn’t have much confidence in KS Bharat, who couldn’t grab his chance with the bat in the Border-Gavaskar series 2023.

“Rishabh Pant is an explosive batter and Ishan also has the same quality. Although Bharat is superb behind the wickets, I don’t have much confidence in Bharat’s batting,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

It will be interesting to note who between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan will play the WTC Final against Australia. If India needs more batting depth, they can surely go in with Ishan Kishan.

The WTC final will be played at the Oval from June 7.