IPL 2022: Saba Karim Picks His Playing XI To Play Champions Gujarat Titans; Jos Buttler, KL Rahul To Open

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim selected a combined playing XI from IPL 2022 to play against eventual champions Gujarat Titans.

The Hardik Pandya-led side outsmarted Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 final on May 29 to clinch their maiden title in first season.

KL Rahul, Jos Buttler to open innings in Saba Karim’s Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

Karim named his fantasy team with 11 players from remaining nine teams that will play against Hardik & co.

Jos Buttler and KL Rahul were the top two run-scorers with a combined 1479 runs and six centuries between them in IPL 2022. The duo was slotted to open the innings in Karim’s XI with Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson at No.3 followed by Deepak Hooda at 4.

Karim named power-hitters Liam Livingstone and Andre Russell in the middle-order and Dinesh Karthik as the designated keeper.

“The biggest name is Jos Buttler, the identity he has created for himself in this IPL, he is undoubtedly the No. 1 opener in my team. Along with him, I had two names in my mind – KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. According to me, Ishan Kishan’s form was not that good in this IPL. So, I am going with KL Rahul for his experience and consistency,” Karim said on India News.

“For No. 3, I had two names – Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi. But Sanju Samson has pipped Rahul Tripathi here. At No. 4, according to me, Deepak Hooda. He is a hard-hitting player, strike rate has been very good, he has the ability to play the big shots and is a useful off-spin bowler.”

“I have kept Dinesh Karthik at No. 7 but it will depend on my combination. If I feel I need five specialist bowlers, then I will play a bowler instead of Dinesh Karthik in my XI,” he added.

Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik in Saba Karim’s playing XI as top bowlers

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter picked IPL 2022 purple cap winner Yuzvendra Chahal – 27 wickets in 17 matches – as the lone spinner of the team. Karim named pace sensation Umran Malik and RCB’s Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood in the pace department.

“Yuzi Chahal’s place is there in my XI because he has picked wickets against the best batters, he is the highest wicket-taker and bowled with exceptional variety. He has emerged as a more mature bowler this year,” Karim mentioned.

“Josh Hazlewood – I feel he is the most improved bowler in T20s. I have kept Harshal Patel in my team because he has exceptional variations and bowls well in the end overs. I have kept Umran Malik because I feel such a pace bowler who can bowl the hard lengths will always add value to your team,” he added.

Saba Karim’s IPL 2022 playing XI vs Gujarat Titans: Jos Buttler, KL Rahul ©, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Liam Livingstone, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik, Mohsin Khan (12th man).

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