He said that the vice-captain needs to be given a sense of security in the playing XI after returning to T20Is following a six-month gap (due to knee injury and COVID-19).

Speaking to India News, Karim said:

The statement comes when India has some other options as far as picking an opening partner for Rohit Sharma is concerned. The likes of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav will also be in contention to move up the order.

It is worth mentioning that KL Rahul made his international comeback in the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe, but failed to deliver at the top. He registered scores of 1 and 30 in a couple of matches.

However, the proven class and quality of KL Rahul would still tempt the Indian team to have him pair with Rohit Sharma for the opening partnership. With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill not in the squad, there are less hurdles in the path of the Karnataka batsman regaining his opening spot.

Apart from the selection of openers, Saba Karim also talked about other aspects of the Indian team. He said that the Rohit Sharma-led team might go ahead with a couple of spinners as excessive heat is likely to generate cracks on the turf at the Dubai International Stadium.

The former India wicketkeeper feels that Ravi Bishnoi or Ravichandran Ashwin should be picked along with wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

“Pakistan will be under pressure”- Saba Karim feels early wickets can put Rohit Sharma and Co. on top

Saba Karim thinks that Rohit Sharma’s team can put Pakistan under serious pressure by getting early wickets. The former national selector for the Indian team did talk about the 10-wicket loss suffered by the Men in Blue last year in the T20 World Cup, against Pakistan.

Karim further spoke about the the Pakistan middle order, which he believes isn’t as well tested as the top order.

He also explained how India’s bowling unit has an edge against Pakistan. The absence of a well-established spinner in the team is seen by Karim as a weak point in the Pakistan line-up.

Regardless of who opens with Rohit Sharma, India do start as favorites. All the more because Shaheen Afridi is missing for Pakistan.

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