'That's good to have a healthy competition' - Former India batter settles Ishan Kishan vs KL Rahul debate ahead ODI World Cup 2023

Ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup and Super 4 games in the Asia Cup 2023, Indian team management needs to finalise their wicketkeeper-batter. As KL Rahul is making a comeback after injury, he is likely to make it into the playing XI. However, consistent performer Ishan Kishan's selection is in jeopardy.

The team will need to take a tough call against Pakistan on Sunday. However, ahead of that game, former India batter Mohammed Kaif tries to settle this debate. Kaif is happy that India has healthy competition for a middle-order batter, which might help India in the upcoming ODI World Cup. Kaif believes that the Indian team will want Rahul and Shreyas Iyer to have some game time together.

"Rahul Dravid will know that both Rahul and Iyer are the backbone of the Indian middle order and that they will need game time. Ishan played really well, and that's good because there's healthy competition on the team. However, if an in-form player sits out, then it's not a problem because Dravid will want to see Rahul bat at No. 5. He has good numbers at No. 5, and you will want him and Iyer to get game time and have that form when they play the first World Cup game against Australia," Kaif said on Star Sports.

"You don't want to give them extra load", says Kaif 

Further speaking about workload management and game time for both Iyer and Rahul, Kaif said that team management needs to figure it out. "India has seen what happened with Jasprit Bumrah, where he was cleared to play by the NCA but then got injured again. So they will need to be careful with Iyer and Rahul and check on how much they need to play and when they need to take breaks. You don't want to give them too much before the match begins. That's why Rahul Dravid and the trainers are present there," he added.

It's worth noting that India will take on Pakistan in the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 at Colombo International Stadium in Colombo on September 10. Meanwhile, the craziest contest will take place when India faces Pakistan in the ODI World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14.