The Indian top-order failed in the first ODI against australia in Vizag. The match was ultimately won thanks to the heroics of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja with the bat.
The top-order failing is becoming a headache for India across formats. Former wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim believes the issues against the moving ball are something India have to address as soon as possible.
Former Indian cricketer emphasized that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli do not need to be given too many breaks. He said it is important for the two star batters to play consistently prior to next year's 50-over world cup.
Former keeper-batter Saba Karim believes that the Indian selectors didn't make the decision to leave out senior players from the T20 squad for the home series against Sri Lanka on their own. Karim feels that the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel would have had discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the team's head coach Rahul Dravid.
Saba Karim feels an entire restructuring is needed in white-ball cricket. India lost 1-0 to Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series opener on Sunday (December 04) in Dhaka. Former keeper-batter and ex-selector Karim lashed out at India and issued a warning. Karim: It is now time for us to pay attention to our white ball cricket.
Rishabh Pant scored 10 and 15 runs in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to make a mark in the T20I series as well. There have been calls for the likes of Sanju Samson to replace Pant. Saba Karim has said Pant deserves to get a look in during India's upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
Former India cricketer Saba Karim believes Suryakumar Yadav should be made the permanent No.4 batter in ODIs. Karim suggested that the Indian think-tank should not change the team's combination just to have a left-handed batter in the middle order. The Men in Blue suffered a 1-0 ODI series loss to New Zealand.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 143 off just 111 balls in the second ODI against England. He led from the front with a sensational knock, laced with 18 fours and four sixes.
Former selector Saba Karim reckons Rishabh Pant’s absence from the Indian playing eleven against Pakistan was an indication that the team management does not see him in the role of a finisher. Saba said there was no spot available for Pant in the playing 11 and the only way he will get to play in Asia Cup 2022 is if KL Rahul fails to perform as an opener.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter was pleased to see how the Indian team management is persisting with Prasidh Krishna across formats. The right arm-quick didn’t have good outings in previous tours of England and the west indies.
Karim felt Prasidh did not have a good outing against West Indies. But he has taken four wickets in two matches in the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe. Karim also spoke on who could be India's white-ball captain in long term with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant being touted as possible full time skippers.
Saba Karim and Maninder Singh were perplexed not to see Deepak Chahar in India's XI for the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare. India's stand-in captain KL Rahul, at the toss, said Chahar is missing out and Shardul Thakur will replace him in the playing XI. Chahar had picked up 3 for 27 in the first ODI to help India bowl Zimbabwe out for 189 which was chased down in 30.5 overs.
Rishabh Pant made his captaincy debut for India against South Africa last month. The left-handed batter is one of the few players who plays in all three formats for India at present. Saba Karim believes Pant can become a big name for India in the future.
