'He has questioned the leadership of Ganguly' - BCCI official lashes out at Saba Karim over misleading statement on Shubman Gill's fitness

The young batter Shubhman Gill is expected to be ruled out of the upcoming five-match Test series against England owing to an injury. Gill is supposed to be requiring a span of eight weeks to get back in good shape and fitness. However, recently in an episode of the Khelneeti podcast with Nikhil Chopra, the former India wicketkeeper-batter, Saba Karim had questioned the team management on Gill’s selection for the tour.

Saba put forward his thoughts on how the physios were unable to track Gill’s fitness and also believed that he had been unfit even before he flew to England with the team. After his statement, a senior BCCI official has now come up with a reply to Saba Karim’s allegations. The official has slammed Karim by stating that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is extremely particular when it comes to the fitness of players and such a statement from him is disappointing.

The official also asserted that it is a stern allegation and a dismaying move to question fitness and selection of players. “In making such a statement, he has questioned the leadership of Ganguly who is very particular about the rules being followed where the fitness of players and selection of players is concerned. It is a serious allegation to make,” the BCCI official said as reported by News 18.

BCCI official provides clarification on Saba Karim’s statement

Adding on further, the office bearer also clarified things and confirmed that Gill was fit and wasn’t carrying an injury before heading to England. The official also took a dig at Karim, saying that Gill is a celebrated player and making such statements on him is not in the right spirits. However, the detailed information on Gill’s fitness is yet to be revealed.

Considering the injury concern of the batsman, it remains to be seen that who will open for India in the Test matches alongside Rohit Sharma. India and England are scheduled to play a five-match Test series that will kick start from August 4. It would also mark the beginning of India’s second cycle of the World test Championship.