Saba Karim raises question marks on Ajinkya Rahane's reappointment as Test vice-captain

Former BCCI chief selector Saba Karim has opened up on Ajinkya Rahane’s reappointment as Test vice-captain as he expected Ravindra Jadeja or Shubman Gill as more valuable candidates.

Notably, after a very poor run of form, the veteran batter was dropped from India’s red-ball squad but on his return in the World Test Championship finale against Australia, the 35-year-old played some brilliant cricket which not only seemed to have sealed his place in the playing XI but has also earned him the position of being India’s vice-captain in the longest format yet again.

Speaking about the same, Karim stated that he believes Jadeja is more deserving to take up the role as he is representing the national team in all three formats at the moment. The former India cricketer also added that Shubman Gill could have been one of the exciting options as he is deemed to be the next big thing in Indian cricket.

“I don’t know why people don’t even talk about Ravindra Jadeja. He’s a regular in all formats for the Indian side and he has had major contributions to India’s Test success also. So how come he’s never spoken about as a leader? He’s irreplaceable in all three formats for the national side and he’s equally capable of leading the national side. Or if not him then maybe Shubman Gill if the Indian selectors thought that he is the future. I am just saying, there are some candidates,” Karim told Sportskeeda.

When you pick youngsters then why would you make Rahane the vice-captain? : Karim

Notably, the selectors took some bold decisions, dropping the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav from India’s red-ball squad that will travel to the West Indies for a two-match Test series. Youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mukesh Kumar have got an opportunity thus, Karim lashed out at selectors and questioned the importance of Rahane’s appointment as the cricketer himself was out for a long time.

“I don’t know why people don’t even talk about Ravindra Jadeja. He’s a regular in all formats for the Indian side and he has had major contributions to India’s test success also. So how come he’s never spoken about as a leader? He’s irreplaceable in all three formats for the national side and he’s equally capable of leading the national side. Or if not him then maybe Shubman Gill if the Indian selectors thought that he is the future. I am just saying, there are some candidates,” Karim added.