Former India keeper-batter Saba Karim believes that Team India’s top-order must step up in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and the subsequent ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He again added that the contributions of the top three batters will hold significant value as well. Saba also shared that Team India have struggled when they have lost early wickets in the past, especially in important games.
Speaking about India’s top order, Saba Karim told Jio Cinema: “It remains India’s biggest strength, but it depends on how we execute it. Because whatever I have noticed in the past, in big games and ICC events, it is the top order that has faltered. That is a big learning for the Indian top order, and they should understand that for India to do well not only in the Asian challenge but also in the upcoming World Cup, it is the top three or four that have to fire on a regular basis, and more so in important matches.”
Saba Karim stated that the onus will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to do well for the team. Karim also added that Shubman Gill will also have to do well and deliver in high-pressure matches as well.
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He said, “In all those crunch situations, these three top guns need to deliver, especially Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both of them have got abundance of experience. Shubman Gill, whatever he has shown in the past couple of seasons, we have termed him as an all-format player, but this is the time for the youngster to also come good and shine for India.”
Saba Karim also added that Prasidh Krishna’s addition to India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023 will be very helpful for India. He added that skipper Rohit Sharma now has more options to choose from for his pace attack for the ODI as well.
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“Very strong pace bowling component now. This has opened up a number of opportunities for Rohit Sharma. If he wants to go in with three genuine quicks, he can get in Mohammed Siraj as the third seamer. In case Siraj is not bowling well, you can bring in Prasidh Krishna. With Prasidh Krishna getting fit, it really opens up a number of possibilities for Rohit Sharma but also adds to the striking force of the Indian pace bowling contingent,” he expressed.
“You have Mohammed Shami, a strike bowler par excellence. Then you have Jasprit Bumrah, we have seen what he is capable of doing. Plus, in backup, if you have someone like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, it just goes to show that this is a complete kind of pace bowling attack,” Saba Karim
