Prior to the IND vs AUS T20I series, Saba Karim has named Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal as his first-choice spinners. He also feels the duo will be presented with a stiff challenge against Australian players in the upcoming series. However, it’s worth mentioning that Aussie batters like Glenn Maxwell and Mathew Wade can play innovative shots, such as reverse sweeps, and put spinners under pressure as well.
While speaking on India News, he said: “I think Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal should play in the first XI. R Ashwin could play if the spin bowling is not up to mark [in the first few matches]. Our spinners need to accept the challenge against Glenn Maxwell and Mathew Wade. They can play several innovative shots, like the reverse sweep. Australia also have attacking options like Tim David alongside Steve Smith and Josh Inglis.”
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However, Saba Karim also feels that there shouldn’t be too many experiments in the series as these games will ensure that all players get to know their roles for the upcoming T20 World Cup, especially the opening combination. He believes this series will also give the answer of the ongoing keeper-batter debate between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month as well. The veteran again shared that this series will help check the fitness standards of the pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel who are returing after injury lay-off.
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“I don’t think there would be too many experiments. We need to come up with a good combination. It would be best if you could clarify players’ roles for the upcoming T20 World Cup. For example, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik and the opening combination. I want to check whether Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel are match fit or not. If they can bowl four overs, we are preparing well; they can participate in the T20 World Cup,” Saba Karim concluded.
