IND vs NZ: "Simply Cannot Understand This Strategy": Saba Karim Identifies India's Tactical Error After Their 7-Wicket Loss Against New Zealand In The First ODI

Former cricketer Saba Karim has questioned Team India’s choice to play only five bowlers in the opening ODI against New Zealand on Friday, November 25.

Karima made the point during a discussion on India News Sports that the team management should prioritize an all-rounder over adding an extra batter to the starting XI.

Deepak Hooda should have been a part of the team for the match, according to him, as that would have given the Men in Blue a sixth bowling option.

“Without a sixth bowler, India had few options.” This complicated matters. The team’s management must first pick a sixth bowling option. In white-ball cricket, we have regularly used five bowlers. This method simply amazes me.”

“Why didn’t India play Deepak Hooda instead of an additional batter? In terms of team composition, we must make daring choices. The selectors have crammed the lineup with batters. But where have all-rounders gone? Where is another all-rounder to replace Hardik Pandya if he is not playing?” Saba Karim Added.

“India’s spinners have struggled against hitters who use sweeps”: Saba Karim

Saba Karim continued by saying that Indian hitters who use sweeps and reverse sweeps have troubled their spinners. He believed that if they wanted to overcome this specific shortcoming, they needed to adapt their strategy.

Saba Karim pointed out that the captain must set the field so that such batters cannot sweep freely in order to prevent them from scoring many runs. In order to outsmart their rivals, he added, spinners should try to vary their speeds.

“We have seen this for many years: a player who can play the sweep and the reverse sweep well has always troubled the Indian bowlers. Why don’t we prepare well for such batters? There has to be a change in pace, or maybe we can set the field accordingly to win that battle. We have to find a way. Otherwise, we will continue to struggle against these batters” Saba Karim remarked.

It’s important to note that in the opening ODI, India’s spinners were unable to claim a single wicket against New Zealand.

Also Read: IPL 2023: “I’ll Just Say Only MS Dhoni Has Mastered It And No One Else Has”: Riyan Parag On Batting Lower Order