<p>Every time Ishan Kishan walks out to bat, the commentators seem to pull out a few familiar phrases out of their vocabularies: "<em>Pocket-sized Dynamite", "Explosive Opener", "Dangerous Batter"</em> etc. Though clich?d and grossly overused, there is a reason why the left hander is described using those particular expressions. </p>



<p>Anybody who's watched an Ishan Kishan special - like <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-vs-bangladesh-3rd-odi-match-report-ishan-kishans-phenomenal-double-century-helps-india-get-a-consolation-win/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this one recently</a> in Bangladesh - knows how menacing he can be. Yet, when you look at his numbers, they paint an image that is the complete opposite. <br><br>Having said that, Team India seems to have put an immense amount of faith in the wicketkeeper-batsman. Kishan has been a regular in the T20 team for a while now. After his double century against Bangladesh, he is undoubtedly expected to be given a rope in the ODIs. And with <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/rishabh-pant-ruled-out-from-cricket-for-most-of-2023-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rishabh Pant missing</a>, he's also got a <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-vs-australia-2023-indian-squad-announced-for-the-first-two-tests-suryakumar-yadav-and-ishan-kishan-included/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">call-up for the Test team</a>.</p>



<p>He is young, left-handed, can bat anywhere in the order and keep wickets. Furthermore, he has also been a successful captain at the U19 level. It's a package that, despite India's bountiful resources of talent, is not easily available. However, are we looking at more smoke than fire?</p>



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#has-ishan-kishan-been-overvalued-by-team-india">Has Ishan Kishan been overvalued by team India?</a></li><li class=""><a href="#kishan-in-t-20-is-a-em-not-so-explosive-em-opener">Kishan in T20Is: A 'not so explosive' opener</a></li><li class=""><a href="#kishan-in-od-is-satisfactory-or-skewed-by-one-innings">Kishan in ODIs: Satisfactory or skewed by one innings?</a></li><li class=""><a href="#kishans-selection-in-the-test-squad">Kishan's selection in the Test squad</a></li><li class=""><a href="#so-is-kishan-being-overrated-by-team-india">So, Is Kishan being overrated by team India?</a></li></ul></nav></div>



<h2 id="has-ishan-kishan-been-overvalued-by-team-india">Has Ishan Kishan been overvalued by team India?</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>"All that glitters is not gold."</p>
<cite>- Popular Saying</cite></blockquote>



<p>He is into just the second year of his international career and a few times already, he's sparkled. But with a talent pool as big as India's, putting on a show once in a while isn't good enough. The loud inconsistency depicted by his numbers begs the question, "Is he actually gold or just glitter?"</p>



<p>Here is a look at Kishan's performances across formats:-</p>



<h2 id="kishan-in-t-20-is-a-em-not-so-explosive-em-opener">Kishan in T20Is: A <em>'not so explosive'</em> opener</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_ds_w_1280,q_80/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/349400/349440.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A strike rate of just 113.62 in the powerplay tells you that Kishan is a slow starter. (<a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ishan-kishan-720471/photos">Image Source</a>) ? Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>Ishan Kishan's overall record in T20Is:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"> 27</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">653</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">25.11</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">122.74</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">100s/50s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0/4</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest Score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">89 (56)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan's overall record in T20I</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>While there should be no complains about a batter averaging 25 in T20Is, it's the strike rate that is disappointing. An "explosive opener" is expected to make the most of the powerplay, which Kishan clearly hasn't been able to. In fact, his strike rate in the power play plummets to <strong>113.62</strong>. Here's a look at his numbers in the powerplay:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">26</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">392</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Balls Faced</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">345</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dot Ball%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">52.46%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">113.62</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4s/6s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">47/14</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan in powerplay in T20Is</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>That tells you that more often than not Kishan starts sedately and makes up for it afterwards. However, for a long time now, he hasn't quite been able to notch up a big innings. His last fifty was <strong>15 matches ago</strong> and this is how his record looks like since:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">14</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">200</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">14.28</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">105.26</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest Score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">37(29)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4s/6s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">19/9</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan since his last T20I fifty</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>Surely those numbers aren't good enough to keep your place in the side, let alone with openers like Shaw and keepers like Samson and Jitesh waiting in the wings.</p>



<h2 id="kishan-in-od-is-satisfactory-or-skewed-by-one-innings">Kishan in ODIs: Satisfactory or skewed by one innings?</h2>



<p>Ishan Kishan's ODI record:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">12</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">507</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">46.09</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">107.18</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">100s/50s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1/3</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest Score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">210(131)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan's overall record in ODIs</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>His ODI record looks far more handsome. The fact that he's been floated up and down the order as per team's requirements, makes it even prettier. But how much of it is skewed by that one mammoth innings against Bangladesh? What happens when we take that innings out? This is how his record looks without the double century knock:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">11</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">297</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">29.70</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">86.84</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">100s/50s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0/3</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">93(84)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan's ODI record without the double century innings</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>As you can see, the record plummets to fairly ordinary numbers. Although one can argue that the sample size is not huge; and after all, this is after we've cherry-picked and taken out his best innings. Yet, there is a counter argument to that. And that is Kishan's List A record.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">90</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">3056</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">38.20</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">94.00</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">100s/50s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5/15</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest Score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">210(131)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan's List A record</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>Again, a modest record without anything remarkable really. And as a matter of fact, 90 games is a huge sample size even if the first of those was played back when he was a 15 year old. </p>



<h2 id="kishans-selection-in-the-test-squad">Kishan's selection in the Test squad</h2>



<p>Even with his numbers imploring that inconsistency is consistent with Kishan, you understand why teams tend to rate him well in white ball cricket. It is because when he gets going he can single-handedly obliterate opposition's attacks and win you matches. However, his selection in the Test team against Australia is bewildering and unfathomable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_ds_w_1280,q_80/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/351000/351000.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ishan Kishan has played just 4 Ranji Trophy matches over last 3 seasons. He didn't keep wickets in the 2022/23 season. ?PTI</figcaption></figure>



<p>With Rishabh Pant unavailable, KS Bharat - who is largely considered the best gloveman in the country - is expected to take his spot. Bharat, pretty much like Wridhimann Saha, is not the best batter who can keep wickets, but purely the best wicketkeeper. And it makes sense to pick him. After all, you need a skilled keeper on turning tracks and the fact that Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar can bat will allow India to include him in the XI. </p>



<p>Yet, it's hard to understand why would you pick Ishan Kishan as his backup? Here is a look at Kishan's first-class record:-</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Innings</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">82</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Runs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2985</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Average</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">38.76</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Strike Rate</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">69.80</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">100s/50s</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">6/16</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Highest Score</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">273</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Ishan Kishan's first class record</mark></figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>Neither is Kishan the best keeper in the country, nor is his batting record worth turning heads. In fact, the Jharkhand southpaw has only played <strong>a total of 4 Ranji Trophy matches across last 3 seasons</strong>: Two in 2019/20, none in 2021/22 and again two in 2022/23. Moreover, in the two matches he played this season, he didn't even keep wickets. </p>



<p>Now compare that to, say, Akshay Wadkar who averages <strong>53.31</strong> across 60 first class innings and has been Vidarbha's first choice keeper. (Not to forget the first Test is at Nagpur, Vidarbha's home ground). Or Sheldon Jackson, who averages <strong>48.79</strong> with the bat and is a far superior gloveman. </p>



<p>Perhaps, the selectors wanted a player in the mould of Pant: left handed dasher who can take the game on and turn it on its head. Howbeit, there is the difference of day and night in the first class records of Pant and Kishan.</p>



<h2 id="so-is-kishan-being-overrated-by-team-india">So, Is Kishan being overrated by team India?</h2>



<p>Sports can be funny at times. I am pretty sure, a lot of articles along the same lines were written for Rohit Sharma as well as Ravindra Jadeja at the beginning of the last decade. Both of them, metamorphosed into players who can walk into any international XI today. Similarly, there is little doubt about Kishan's talent and potential. Albeit, it would not be wrong to say that he hasn't quite delivered as per expectations yet. In the upcoming months, he will have the opportunities to set that right. Though, with many people biting at his heels, those opportunities will diminish fast. </p>

Is Ishan Kishan being overrated? Should he play all 3 formats for India?

is-ishan-kishan-being-overrated

<p class="dropcapp1"><strong>India vs Sri Lanka 2023:</strong> In the year 2022, India played 40 T20Is. Never before had they played more than 21 in a calendar year. Much like them, Sri Lanka too played more T20Is in 2022 than they ever had in a year. </p>



<p class="dropcapp">At this point, it is stating the obvious: T20 is the fastest-growing format of the game. However, what people sometimes fail to understand is that it is also the fastest-evolving format of the game. T20 cricket in 2017 was very different to what it is in 2023. On the outside, it might look the same; the rules have hardly changed. But strategically, it has metamorphosed. Anchor batters have become redundant, teams do not want grafters in the middle overs anymore and batting &amp; bowling orders today depend on "player-match-ups".</p>



<p>"Player-match-ups" or "batter-vs-bowler-match-ups" have always existed in cricket. But they have a much-amplified significance in the modern T20s. For instance, promoting a left-hander in the order to counter the opposition's spinners <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ind-vs-pak-asia-cup-2022-ravindra-jadeja-at-four-forced-pakistan-plans-to-change-and-ultimately-probably-cost-them-1331353">can be a match-defining move</a>. So often, we've seen the fielding captain start with a spinner just because the opener seems to have a better record against pace. Many times overs of certain bowlers are held back for a specific batter.</p>



<p>It goes without saying that 'player match-ups' would once again be at the fulcrum of strategies as India and Sri Lanka kick off 2023 with a T20I series. Here's a look at some major match-ups you should keep an eye on:-</p>



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#1-sanju-samson-vs-wanindu-hasaranga">1. Sanju Samson vs Wanindu Hasaranga</a></li><li class=""><a href="#2-dasun-shanaka-vs-yuzvendra-chahal">2. Dasun Shanaka vs Yuzvendra Chahal</a></li><li class=""><a href="#3-charith-asalanka-vs-axar-patel">3. Charith Asalanka vs Axar Patel</a></li><li class=""><a href="#4-avishka-fernando-vs-arshdeep-singh">4. Avishka Fernando vs Arshdeep Singh&lt;br></a></li></ul></nav></div>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/01/324810-1-1024x682.webp" alt="India vs Sri Lanka 2023: Sanju Samson will have his opportunity cut out" class="wp-image-100662"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1262739/photo">ESPNCricinfo</a></figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/01/324927-1024x682.webp" alt="India vs Sri Lanka t20: Wanindu Hasaranga will be a key for Sri Lanka" class="wp-image-100661"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1262739/photo">ESPNCricinfo</a></figcaption></figure>
</figure>



<h2 id="1-sanju-samson-vs-wanindu-hasaranga">1. Sanju Samson vs Wanindu Hasaranga</h2>



<p>With <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/rishabh-pant-set-to-miss-australia-test-series-ipl-2023-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rishabh Pant likely to be unavailable for an extended period</a>, Sanju Samson will have his opportunity cut out to stake a claim for an extended run in the team; at least for the T20Is. He, however, would have to turn heads with noteworthy performances as India already have Ishan Kishan too in the squad.</p>



<p>In Samson's path stands his arch-nemesis Wanindu Hasaranga. </p>



<p>Having ended up being the highest wicket-taker in the last two consecutive T20 World Cups, Hasaranga's prowess in the format doesn't need an introduction. For his record against Samson in particular, the word "domination" even might sound like an understatement. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://assets.bcci.tv/bcci/photos/494/27f66f7c-f2ee-4733-8a12-a372ce0151b4.jpg" alt="Hasaranga dismissing Samson in the IPL Playoffs"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">India vs Sri Lanka 2023 T20I Series:  Wanindu Hasaranga vs Sanju Samson is going to be one of the key battles. (Image Source: <a href="https://www.iplt20.com/match/2022/494">IPLT20.com</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>The two have faced each other <strong>5 times</strong> in T20 matches. Hasaranga has got Samson out all <strong>5 times</strong>. In fact, the explosive batter has a miserable <strong>strike rate of 73.5</strong> against the leg-spinner. Samson <strong>averages 5</strong> against him and <strong>three out of every four balls</strong> Hasaranga bowls to him are dot balls.</p>



<h2 id="2-dasun-shanaka-vs-yuzvendra-chahal">2. Dasun Shanaka vs Yuzvendra Chahal</h2>



<p>He wears 7 on his back, captains with a calm head and has the ability to finish off games. Fans have often compared Dasun Shanaka to MS Dhoni. </p>



<p>The last time he was in India, he scored a <strong>38-ball-74</strong> after coming into bat with his team 29-4. A few months later, he helped Sri Lanka complete an unlikely victory against Australia. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/WisdenCricket/status/1535668604624150529?s=20&amp;t=dDpdF8rLoYrjLL7X6H-VNw
</div></figure>



<p>Shanaka has made over <strong>25%</strong> of his T20I runs against India. Having scored runs at a <strong>strike rate of 169.33</strong> for the entire season of the Lanka Premier League, he comes into this series with some form behind him. Although he has always found it tough against leg-spinners.</p>



<p>In his international career, Shanaka has been dismissed by leg spin <strong>27 times</strong> and averages a meagre <strong>14.41</strong> against it. As a matter of fact, his otherwise handsome-looking <strong>strike rate of 141.45</strong> in T20 cricket overall plummets to <strong>110.19 against wrist spin</strong>. In other words, it would be wise to hold an over or two of Yuzvendra Chahal for Shanaka. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_ds_w_960,q_50/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/324600/324660.jpg" alt="Image of Shanaka getting bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal in 2021"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dasun Shanaka is bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal in 2021. (Image Source: <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1262739/photo">ESPNCricinfo</a>)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 id="3-charith-asalanka-vs-axar-patel">3. Charith Asalanka vs Axar Patel</h2>



<p>With Gunathilaka not in the team anymore and Rajapaksa poised for a finishing role, Asalanka is the sole left-hander in the top 4. And he is indeed a very good one. On sluggish tracks in the U.A.E., Asalanka was Sri Lanka's top scorer in the 2021 T20WC, <strong>averaging 46 </strong>and scoring at a <strong>strike rate of 147</strong>. </p>



<p>He would be crucial in defusing one of India's potent weapons: Axar Patel. Axar looked a league above everyone else last time India played a T20I series at home. He was, in fact, <a href="https://hindi.icccricketschedule.com/cricket/news/axar-patel-became-player-of-the-series-in-the-series-against-australia/">the player of the series</a>. Expect Sri Lanka to promote Asalanka in the order to counter Axar. </p>



<p>The two have, interestingly, never faced off in white ball cricket. They have in the longer format though. Axar has dismissed Asalanka <strong>twice</strong> and has <strong>never conceded a run</strong> to him in Test Cricket.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_ds_w_960,q_50/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/335800/335857.jpg" alt="Axar Patel vs Charith Asalanka"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Axar Patel has bowled 16 balls to Asalanka in Test Cricket getting him out twice. (Image Source: <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-in-india-2021-22-1278665/india-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1278683/match-photo">ESPNCricinfo</a>)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 id="4-avishka-fernando-vs-arshdeep-singh">4. Avishka Fernando vs Arshdeep Singh</h2>



<p>Avishka Fernando was considered a batting prodigy. Selectors were so impressed with his U-19 exploits that they handed him an international debut against Australia before he had even played a single First Class or List A match. Fernando had his moments - scored 3 centuries and 5 fifties in ODIs - but looked a little undercooked at times. Hence, he was eventually dropped. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_ds_w_1280,q_80/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/324800/324838.jpg" alt="Avishka Fernando"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Avishka Fernando was considered a batting prodigy. Image Source: <a href="http://espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1262739/photo">ESPNCricinfo</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>He's had an excellent season in the Lanka Premier League where he ended up as <strong>the top scorer</strong>. If he plays, a match-up between him and Arshdeep Singh will be a tantalising one to watch out for. The Indian left-arm pacer has shown the ability to swing the new ball and take wickets up front. </p>



<p>Interestingly, Avishka has a fabulous record in franchise cricket where he scores at an <strong>average of 62.3</strong> and a <strong>strike rate of 147.1</strong> against left-arm pace. However, the same numbers plummet drastically in international cricket. He's been dismissed <strong>11 times</strong> by southpaw seamers and averages a miserable <strong>14.45</strong> while scoring at <strong>less than a run a ball</strong>. </p>



<p> </p>

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