‘The frequency with which Jasprit Bumrah and…’ – Former Indian selector shares his views on having new bunch of pacers

On Wednesday, Rohit Sharma and Co. lost the three-match ODI series on Bangladesh soil in seven years. So now India has lost the ODI series in South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh this year. The Men in Blue are set to host the other countries in nine months for the ODI World Cup 2023.

According to the former Indian cricketer Saba Karim, this could be the end of the “musical chair,” wherein players are switched to balance the workload.

Hardik Pandya was named the skipper for the T20I series against the Blackcaps in which India emerged victorious 1-0. He was dropped from the ODI series and then from the tour of Bangladesh. Pandya is not the only one, though. The Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami as well were given frequent breaks in order to remain fit for big encounters. 

Rahul Tripathi is a T20 specialist: Saba Karim

“Hardik Pandya was in great form. But after returning from a break, he struggled a bit with the bat and ball as well. After the IPL heroics, he also got to captain India, but Hardik Pandya’s graph has come down a bit since then. Players like Hardik have to play. This trend of taking breaks has to end,” said Saba Karim.

“The frequency with which Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are getting injured, the time has come for India to create a new pool of fast bowlers. We need to look beyond them as well. Same with spinners. Who will be our three top-quality spinners in ODIs? Chahal, Axar, Sundar? If yes, then keep playing with them. The time to try out people is gone,” said a former selector.

He raised questions on Team India’s selection for the one-dayers in Bangladesh and asked why the players like Rajat Patidar and Rahul Tripathi were picked in the squad. 

“Why have you taken Rajat Patidar and Rahul Tripathi to Bangladesh? What has Tripathi done in ODIs? He is a T20 specialist, but you have picked him in the one-day team. I don’t think he will play. The new selection committee and management must first decide the core team.” former cricketer said.