‘Ideally, they should be playing….’ – Ex-India selector Saba Karim lashes out at Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for being absent from 2nd ODI against West Indies

After an impressive win over the Windies in the first ODI, India implemented two crucial changes in the second ODI. Notably, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel replaced Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whereas Hardik Pandya led the team in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma.

Notably, after being sent to bat first, team India had an impressive start as Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill had stitched 90 runs of partnership for the first wicket, but as they departed, the rest of the players could not continue the team’s solid form and collapsed for just 181 runs. Later, while chasing, the Windies skipper guided a comprehensive six-wicket victory over the visitors to level up the three-match series.

It would’ve been ideal if we had the right batting order: Karim

Speaking on the same subject, ex-India selector Syed Saba Karim got infuriated with the Indian batting line-up during the second ODI. The former wicketkeeper affirmed that regular players also need time to face the challenges and further questioned Indian management about the backup option in the absence of Shreyas Iyer at number 4.

“The regular players also need time to face these challenges. At no.4, you are hoping that Shreyas Iyer will come, but he will also need time to get going. Who is your back-up there? Is it Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson? Because if they are, you have to design the batting order that way. Batting first was a challenge for us and it was good that we had the chance today, but it would’ve been ideal if we had the right batting order,” Karim said.

The 55-year-old legend also questioned management about the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second ODI and went on to say that they should be playing as India has the ODI World Cup ahead this year.

“Also, why are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not playing? What’s the point of taking them with the side if they’re not playing? Why not take fresh faces then? Ideally, they should be playing because World Cup is near, you don’t have much time left,” he added further.