‘In whose place will he play?’ R Ashwin questions Ishan Kishan’s spot in India's ODI XI vs NZ

Mumbai: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has delivered a candid assessment regarding Ishan Kishan’s place in the national One-Day International setup ahead of India’s upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand. With the tour shifting to the 50-over format, debates surrounding squad combination and middle-order spots have intensified. Despite acknowledging Kishan’s remarkable domestic and international form over recent months, Ashwin pointed out that the current team structure leaves virtually no opening for the wicketkeeper-batter in the starting XI.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin addressed the selection conundrum facing the Men in Blue as they prepare for the opening fixture in Auckland. He emphasised that a settled top order and established middle-order roles create a structural roadblock for incorporating additional specialist batters.

Settled Top Order Creates Structural Roadblock

Elaborating on the tactical composition of the team, Ashwin highlighted that India’s top order remains firmly locked in with skipper Shubman Gill, veteran opener Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. With Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul anchoring the middle overs, alongside all-rounders required to maintain bowling balance, finding a slot for Kishan becomes exceptionally difficult without disrupting core stability.

"Where will he play? Unless you need a left-hander," Ashwin remarked during the broadcast. "Even then, the top three are settled. Shreyas plays at four, or Gaikwad. There is KL. Then you will need an all-rounder. So there is no place for him, really. In the last 18 months, the way he has performed, he has been the cricketer of the country. No doubt. But in whose place will he play? There is a problem of plenty." Ashwin further noted that constantly rotating players to accommodate form can unsettle the squad dynamic and lead to broader insecurity among the playing group.

Focus Shifts to Auckland ODI Series Opener

Ashwin’s comments come at a crucial juncture as India transition from their T20I fixtures into the ODI leg of the tour. The Men in Blue compete against host nation New Zealand across five 50-over matches, beginning at Eden Park. With senior figures returning to the ODI format, the team management faces the complex challenge of balancing bench strength with proven combinations.

India’s preferred XI for the opening match is expected to prioritise balanced all-round capability, likely fielding combinations that include Axar Patel alongside seam-bowling options. While Kishan’s recent aggressive scoring in white-ball cricket keeps him firmly in the selectors' broader plans, Ashwin's analysis underlines the luxury and difficulty of navigating India's formidable squad depth ahead of the series opener on November 04.