The Upcoming Decade Will Belong To KL Rahul - Saba Karim

Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that the decision to hand KL Rahul the captaincy of the Indian ODI team in absence of Rohit Sharma is an accurate one. He also believes that the kind of form KL Rahul has shown in the past few months, the following decade will belong to his dominance.

KL Rahul scored a brilliant hundred at Lord’s earlier last year and backed it up with a sensational century at Centurion, proving his worth in away conditions.

Speaking on the Khelneeti Podcast, here is what he had to say: “I think this is an excellent decision.” Hailing the 29-year-old, he added, “I am very confident that not only the upcoming year but the upcoming decade will belong to KL Rahul. The kind of form he has displayed, if he carries on with the same work ethic, he will serve India for many years to come.”

Saba Karim also feels it is the right time to make KL Rahul the captain of the Indian team. He believes he is at the peak of his prowess and has shown with the Punjab Kings what exactly he can do when he takes his batting to the next level with that added responsibility of captaincy.

“If a player is in good form, he knows what his responsibilities are. I think it is the right time to make someone a captain. KL Rahul has shown those instincts while leading Punjab Kings.

“When you appoint a captain, you need to analyze if there is an improvement in his primary skill. Rahul has definitely shown this while captaining Punjab Kings. That’s why it is being hoped that his performance will get even better with the responsibility of leadership,” he added.

Team management must have given some feedback to make Bumrah vice-captain: Saba Karim

While many eyebrows were raised when Jasprit Bumrah was named as the vice-captain of the side and not Rishabh Pant, Saba Karim believes the Indian team management might have given some feedback to the selectors as to how Bumrah has improved and has performed across all formats consistently, thereby rewarding his consistency.

“Bumrah is a certainty in all formats. There must have been feedback from the dressing room regarding his contribution. He leads the bowling unit and I feel his contribution in the dressing room is greater. He himself must have realized that he is a member of a leadership group. That is why he has been given a promotion, which is a deserving one,” Saba Karim concluded.

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Recalls How He Planned Jasprit Bumrah’s Test Debut In South Africa