IND vs WI: "Why Are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Not Playing"- Saba Karim Slams Team Management After 2nd ODI Loss

The absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Indian playing XI took Indian cricket fans and experts by surprise. Hardik Panaya at the toss said that both were rested due to the continuous cricket they played in the last few months.

The move to bench them backfired badly as India were bowled out for just 181 runs in the second ODI. West Indies chased the target down in less than 37 overs with their skipper Shai Hope playing a match-winning innings of 63 off 80 balls. Keacy Carty played his part by scoring an unbeaten 48.

Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim who is working as an expert with Jio Cricket for the series slammed the team management for their continuous experimentation with the batting lineup. India drafted Axar Patel and Sanju Samson in the absence of the senior players. While Axar scored just one, Samson batting at three scored just 9 off 19 balls as he wasted another opportunity to stake a claim in the ODI World Cup side.

“The regular players also need time to face these challenges. At no.4, you are hoping that Shreyas Iyer will come, but he will also need time to get going. Who is your back-up there? Is it Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson? Because if they are, you have to design the batting order that way. Batting first was a challenge for us and it was good that we had the chance today, but it would’ve been ideal if we had the right batting order,” Karim said during a studio segment following a rain break in Barbados.

He further blamed the team management for keeping Rohit and Kohli benched with just two months left for the ODI World Cup. He questioned the ploy behind taking the senior players for the series if they will not be given game time.

Saba Karim Questions Absence OF Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli In 2nd ODI

“Also, why are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not playing? What’s the point of taking them with the side if they’re not playing? Why not take fresh faces then? Ideally, they should be playing because World Cup is near, you don’t have much time left,” Saba Karim further added.

India are already without the likes of KL Rahul Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah who are rehabilitating from their respective injuries. The management is keen on getting them fit before the World Cup.

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