Experienced campaigners Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal and rookie Prithvi Shaw didn’t make it to Karim’s 15 member squad. Interestingly he picked Bhuvneshwar Kumar and death overs specialist T Natarajan, who is currently sidelined due to injury. The former Bihar wicket-keeper batsman said that the team that took the field against England in t20 series should be the foundation for the T20 squad. Also read- Harsha Bhogle predicts India’s squad for T20 world cup, no place for Dhawan and Kuldeep
“The team that was chosen by the selectors for the series against England, there were around 17 players there, I have started choosing my team from there. The players who performed well there and have not got an opportunity on the Sri Lanka tour because they were in England, you don’t have any excuse to keep them out. There should be consistency in selection. Because of that, I have kept Washington Sundar in my team. I feel that with the matches happening in the UAE, you will need an off-spinner there and he is kind of an all-rounder.” Said Karim during a discussion on India News
Batsman
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul alongside Virat Kohli are the three openers in Karim’s team. He also picked Shreyas Iyer, who is sidelined due to injury and only time will tell if he can perform to be in the team. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav also made the cut in his team after their performance in Sri Lanka.
Rishabh Pant was also included and interestingly, Shikhar Dhawan didn’t find a place in his team.
All-rounders
Despite the lack-lustrous performance in Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya finds a place in his team alongside Washington Sundar. He said that team needs an off-spinner in UAE conditions and Sundar is typically an all-rounder. Ravindra Jadeja was also included in his team
Bowlers
Karim included Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his side stating that the senior fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh is getting back to his rhythm and he will be pivotal for India’s chances. Alongside him, Karim also included Rahul Chahar and said that he is a wicket-taking bowler and possesses the ability to be a match-winner. His big brother Deepak Chahar also finds a place in his team.
T Natarajan and Jasprit Bumrah are the other two bowlers to find a place in Karim’s 15 man squad.
Saba Karim’s squad: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
