'Need to focus on diet and improve fitness levels' - Saba Karim on Mumbai Indians batter Saurabh Tiwary

IPL 2021 made its comeback with the two arch-rivals Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings battling it out against each other in a contest that was an eventful one. Chasing down the total of 157, Mumbai’s batting line-up couldn’t provide enough resistance as they fell short by 20 runs. Saurabh Tiwary was the only batter who stood firm but couldn’t sail the team past victory. The former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim thus feels that Tiwary needs to work on certain aspects of his game.

Saurabh Tiwary made it to the playing XI replacing Hardik Pandya who missed the match owing to a niggle. Tiwary’s half-century couldn’t reap any rewards for Mumbai Indians as Chennai Super Kings won the match by 20 runs. He scored the runs at the strike rate of 125 which didn’t prove enough to take MI past the finish line. Saba Karim asserted that the batter possess talent but he needs to work on his fitness and diet going ahead.

“We haven’t seen any changes. I feel bad because Saurabh Tiwary has the talent. We have seen it since the day he started playing. Yesterday also we saw how talented he is. But in the end, you need to focus on your diet and improve fitness levels as well,” Karim said on Khelneeti.

If you aim to become an international cricketer, you’ll have to work hard: Saba Karim

Playing at the international level demands a high level of fitness and consistency. With the cutthroat competition, only the best fit player makes it to any team. Karim appreciated Tiwary’s knock for MI and stated that one needs to work hard to become an international cricketer.

“You can play T20 cricket, but if you aim to become an international cricketer then you will have to work very hard. It feels unfortunate, but it is good to see him playing for the Mumbai Indians. He played a decent knock yesterday,” Karim added.

Tiwary had featured for India in three ODIs which was back in the year 2010. In the opening match of the remainder of the IPL in UAE, he held the fort of MI, and until he was present on the pitch, the team had hopes to win. However, the batter remained not out on fifty but was unable to sail his team to victory.