Former India batter Ambati Rayudu on Monday, 29 June said Ishan Kishan is ideally suited to bat at number four in India's ODI lineup once Virat Kohli returns for the three-match series against England, beginning 14 July. Rayudu cited Kishan's ability to handle both pace and spin as key reasons for slotting him into that middle-order role.

Rayudu's Case for Kishan at Four

Kishan made a striking return to ODI cricket this month, posting scores of 34 and 125 in the series against Afghanistan in Dharamshala and Lucknow respectively. With Kohli sidelined by a hamstring injury, Kishan, ODI captain Shubman Gill, and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer each took turns at the number three position.

'When it comes to Ishan Kishan, it is great that he is part of the ODI setup and being a left-hander, he'll add a lot of value. So I see him eventually bat at number four. That is an ideal number for him. Being a left-hander, he plays spin exceptionally well and also plays pace well,' Rayudu said during a virtual group interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network.

Rayudu added that a Kishan–Iyer combination at four and five could be 'a very, very formidable' pairing for India in the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Kohli's Mental Fortitude and the 2027 World Cup Question

With debate swirling over whether Kohli and Rohit Sharma are certainties for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Rayudu — who played 55 ODIs and six T20Is for India before being controversially dropped from the 2019 World Cup squad — pointed to Kohli's meticulous preparation as evidence of his enduring quality.

'A guy like him who is so meticulous with his processes, training, and methodology, he knows that there'll be ups and downs. But when you're so focused, when you're so meticulous, when your training is so proper, you know that those lows will not last for a long time,' Rayudu said, recalling Kohli's comeback from a difficult 2014 Test series in England.

Rayudu noted that Kohli had set benchmarks in fitness and mental strength that a generation of Indian cricketers has sought to emulate.

Rayudu Backs Rohit to Deliver in Big Moments

On Rohit Sharma's place in India's World Cup plans, Rayudu was unequivocal. After two lean scores against Afghanistan, Rohit found form with a 79 in the third ODI in Chennai, and Rayudu believes his experience and dressing-room influence remain irreplaceable.

'His experience is invaluable. He needs to be there because he's a leader not only on the ground but also in the dressing room... I'm sure he's in the plans for the World Cup,' Rayudu said. He added that Rohit's ability to raise his game in high-stakes matches makes him a near-certainty to feature prominently in the upcoming England series.

Jaiswal's Role: India's Third Opener for 2027

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a century against Afghanistan in Chennai before making way for the returning Kohli, was another subject of Rayudu's analysis. The former batter backed Jaiswal to be developed as India's third opener heading into the World Cup.

'When it comes to being the third opener, it should be Jaiswal for sure and he should be given enough opportunity to be prepared before the World Cup, just in case we have an injury,' Rayudu said. He stressed that Jaiswal 'deserves an opportunity' and should be given consistent chances to cement his place in the side.

India's ODI series against England gets underway on 14 July, with the squad expected to reflect Kohli's return from injury and the selectors' evolving vision for the 2027 World Cup cycle.