Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim justifies Riyan’s selection in team India

GUWAHATI, July 24: The selection of Assam player Riyan Parag for both the T20 and ODI Indian teams for the Sri Lankan tour has sparked debate. Critics questioned the decision to drop players like Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, former India cricketer Syed Saba Karim, who has also served as a selector, offered a different perspective in an exclusive interview with The Assam Tribune.

“It’s good to see Riyan Parag in both line-ups, which means the selectors feel Riyan has the qualifications and talents to do well in the coming years. It’s great to see selectors looking ahead to a particular player with that kind of vision,” Karim said during the conversation hosted by Sony Sports Network.

Karim justified the selection of all-rounder Riyan by saying, “Abhishek, Ruturaj and others are certainly doing well, but the selection committee feels that players like Riyan are more suited to continue and will also get some opportunities.”

“When we see this T20 team, I don’t see any space available. In those circumstances, there is no place for Abhishek or Ruturaj as they are top-order batsmen. But for players like Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag, who are middle-order batters, there is scope to get some space,” he added.

Team India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs in the series. The T20I leg of the series will be held in Pallekele from July 27 and will end on July 30. The ODIs will be played in Colombo, starting from August 2.

Saba Karim, a panelist on Sony Sports Network for the India-Sri Lanka series, also discussed how Indian fast bowlers will perform their duties in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

“Whatever we say, there will be an impact on the bowling lineup without Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is a special bowler, and he will be terribly missed, be it in Tests, T20s or ODIs,” he asserted.

“The Indian team has realised that they need to start believing in other players as well. So it’s time for players like Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and others to step in and try to do their job.”

Speaking about the T20 team, Karim said: “It has the potential to be a very strong team for the coming years. The selectors are looking forward to putting together a team for the T20 World Cup which is scheduled in two years’ time.”

“The team also has some players who have played a fair number of T20 matches and performed well. They have been part of the World Cup winning team and know how to take the team forward. So it’s a good combination,” he added.

On the comeback of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in the ODI team, Saba Karim remarked, “It seems like they are putting together a team with an eye on the Champions Trophy. They have chosen the players who did well for India in the World Cup that was held in India last year.”