'Should get a place at least in the 15' - Saba Karim bats for Abhishek Sharma's inclusion in Sri Lanka series
While he wants India to continue with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as openers, Saba Karim expects the team management to select Abhishek Sharma for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
India put in a brilliant performance in their recently concluded five-game T20I series against Zimbabwe. After losing the first game, India won their next four and made a brilliant comeback. Throughout the series, the performances of India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill impressed the fans and experts alike.
It is worth noting that India are set to tour Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series and three ODIs, with the series beginning on July 27. Ahead of the tour, former India cricketer Saba Karim has opened up about how Jaiswal and Gill should continue to open for the Men in Blue. Despite his wish to see Jaiswal and Gill open together, Karim also hopes that Abhishek Sharma will be included in the squad.
“The most important positions will be in the top order only. I feel the selectors should go with these two (Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill) only. I feel Abhishek Sharma should get a place at least in the 15 because you have Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4," Karim told Sony Sports.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal opens up on comparisons with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
"It also depends on who is the captain in T20Is. Gautam Gambhir is the head coach, so what is the thinking of the captain and head coach, and how they want to take the team forward. They will have to select players accordingly. Ruturaj Gaikwad is also there. So many players are staking a claim in the top order," he added.
Jaiswal opened for India after youngster Abhishek was given a chance to open in the first two games against Zimbabwe. Abhishek scored a quickfire ton in the second game after scoring a four-ball duck in the first. However, he was shifted to No. 3 spot from the third T20I onwards as Jaiswal returned to the team after missing the first two games on account of being a part of India's T20 World Cup squad.
Jaiswal, the 22-year-old, made the most of the opportunity, scoring 36 off 27 and an unbeaten 93 off just 53 in the two outings upon his return, although he was dismissed early (12 off 5) in the fifth and final match.
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