"What Is The Thinking Of Gautam Gambhir": Ex-India Selector Drops Tough Questions Before Sri Lanka Series

Former wicketkeeper-batter and Indian selector Saba Karim has suggested head coach Gautam Gambhir to go with youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as openers for Team India in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Saba Karim also emphasized the importance of the top order in the T20I series. Karim stresses the importance of choosing the right players for crucial positions at the top of the batting order. This is especially significant as many strong contenders are competing for spots in India’s T20I team following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format. Hardik Pandya will likely take a break during the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav might step in to lead the Indian cricket team in this series, which is also Gambhir's debut series as Team India head coach.

Ex-India selector Saba Karim drops tough questions to Gautam Gambhir before Sri Lanka series

Saba Karim backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to continue opening, citing their potential to set the tone at the top of the order for the Men in Blue in T20Is. Additionally, Karim was all in for Abhishek Sharma's inclusion in the T20I squad with Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. However, the former BCCI official admitted that the decision depends entirely on the Indian management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Indian T20I captain. 

"The most important positions will be in the top order only. I feel the selectors should go with these two (Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill) only. I feel Abhishek Sharma should get a place at least in the 15 because you have Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4. It also depends on who is the captain in T20Is," Saba Karim said.

The former Indian selector Saba Karim emphasized the importance of selecting players according to the captain-coach duo's vision to effectively execute game plans. Saba Karim also recognized the presence of other talented contenders, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is also competing for the opening slot in the Indian cricket team. With numerous players vying for positions, the Indian selectors confront the challenge of assembling a team capable of delivering consistent performances in the format.

"Gautam Gambhir is the head coach, so what is the thinking of the captain and head coach, and how they want to take the team forward. They will have to select players accordingly. Ruturaj Gaikwad is also there. They will need to select players who can execute that plan. So many talented players are hungry for spots in the top order, adding further complexity to the team composition." Karim concluded.

Hardik Pandya will likely take a break during the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav might step in to lead the Indian cricket team in this series, which is also Gautam Gambhir's debut series as Team India head coach. It has been reported that the BCCI will announce the ODI and T20I squads for India's tour of Sri Lanka later this week. According to reports, KL Rahul is expected to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to be rested as well.