“Questions are being raised because of Hardik Pandya’s injury” – Saba Karim says selectors have gone back to Rohit Sharma to bring stability

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim feels the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has gone back to Rohit Sharma as T20I captain to bring stability. Rohit last played in the T20I format in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2022 and since then Hardik Pandya has been leading the team in the shortest version.

Since Pandya has been out of action due to his ankle injury, which he suffered in the ODI World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav led against Australia and South Africa in the T20I series.

Rohit will now lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and he is most likely to lead in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Speaking to Sports18, Karim said, “There is no doubt now. Now that you have included both these players against Afghanistan, it means there has been a massive change in the selectors’ thinking. They feel they need experience for the World Cup. That’s why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made a comeback.”

The former India wicketkeeper-batter added: “There is another thing. Until now, the selectors had shown faith in Hardik Pandya as a captain but questions are being raised because of Hardik Pandya’s injury. That’s why the selectors have gone back to Rohit Sharma to bring stability, both as a captain and a batter.”

Karim reckons Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting in the ODI World Cup played a key role in his return to the T20I setup. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95.

“Along with that, the aggression Rohit Sharma has shown in ODI cricket and he has been speaking about it always. That is another big reason.”

Karim added if Rohit is part of the T20I team, Virat Kohli picks himself. The duo will certainly bring more experience to the table for the team.

“Once you have picked Rohit, you cannot leave Virat out of the team. Then it’s extremely necessary that along with Rohit, you include Virat also in the team for even greater stability and match-winning knocks.”

Virat Kohli finished the ODI World Cup as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32.