Former India cricketer R Ashwin has shared his choice between Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant as the second wicketkeeper for the Indian team for the ICC World Cup 2027. This comes after Kishan slammed his second ODI century, 125 against Afghanistan in Lucknow.

However, citing the lackluster Afghan attack, Ashwin demanded that Kishan's 2027 World Cup selection be halted. The former spinner also thinks that before a choice is made about the second wicket-keeper for the World Cup after KL Rahul, veteran wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant should be given a chance in ODIs.

"KL Rahul will be the first-choice keeper, and Ishan Kishan can probably get a boarding pass as the back-up for the World Cup. But I don't think it's fair to let go of Rishabh Pant this early, considering the World Cup will be in South Africa. Pant has performed decently in the middle order in ODIs. Kishan played an outstanding knock, but let's not jump the gun,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"The attack Afghanistan has got here is not a bowling attack at all. It's a sub-standard attack, if we are realistic about it. To print Kishan's boarding pass to South Africa for the World Cup on the back of smashing Afghanistan will be wrong. It's too early to make such a call,” he added.

Although Pant has only participated in one ODI since 2023, he has impressive stats for India in the 50-over format, averaging 33.50 with a strike rate of above 106 in 31 appearances.

Ashwin also urged Washington Sundar to increase his production, given that he has been given an extended run in the Indian team across formats. In the current Afghanistan series, the 26-year-old has scored 19 runs in one innings while taking just one wicket in eight overs of bowling.

"Washington Sundar is getting an extended run and plenty of opportunities under the Gautam Gambhir regime. They are backing him a lot. He has produced a few excellent performances in Tests. But I just feel he needs to produce a little bit more," said Ashwin.