Former Indian selector Saba Karim does not think that India can be termed as a favorite to lift the trophy in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, Team India is standing at the numero uno position in the ICC teams rankings for T20Is, Karim believes that defending champions Australia are the clear favorites.

During a recent chat with Sports18, Saba Karim said, “I think they remain a formidable side and are the favorites. More so because they are playing on Australian soil and the kind of changes, they have brought into the team, reflects that they are in sync with what is required to win such tournaments in Australia.”

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Asks Fans To Shut Down Chanting ‘RCB-RCB” Showing India Logo

Australia was the most unexpected champions of the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE beating all odds and poor form leading the tournament. Aaron Finch and his men have made just one change to their team, adding Tim David in place of Mitchell Swepson. Speaking about the same, Saba Karim said that Australia has worked on making very strong combinations, which could eventually turn out to be the reason behind them winning the World Cup.

Explaining the same, Saba Karim said, “Big ground, so you need some more power hitters, so they bulk up that kind of portion in the side. So, they have Tim David and Glen Maxwell. For instance, in this team, you don’t have Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, both of them very high in terms of power hitting. So, this kind of combination makes them a very strong side to retain the T20 World Cup again.”

ALSO READ: Alex Hales Makes A Prediction For T20 World Cup 2022 Semi-finalists

Currently, India and Australia are locking horns with each other in the three-match T20I series that is leveled at 1-1 after India’s thrilling win in the 8-over game in Nagpur. After this series, the men in blue will be hosting Temba Bavuma’s South Africa in T20I and ODI series, before flying out to Australia for their World Cup preparations.