Won’t be able to build a team unless you give players enough time to settle – Saba Karim

Former Indian selector Saba Karim reckons India won’t be able to build a team unless the management gives players enough time to settle. There has been a lot of chop and change in the team’s combination in the recent past and Karim wants the young players to get a long rope.

With the focus on the ODI World Cup this year, it has been reported that BCCI has shortlisted 20 players for the ODI event. Meanwhile, experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul were rested in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Speaking to India News Sports on Sunday, Saba Karim said: “We have taken some steps, and we should continue to move in that direction. More opportunities should be given to this new generation of players. The T20 format is a fickle one where you won’t be able to build a team unless you give the players enough time to settle.

“The team management will have to persist with these players if we want them to be prepared for the next T20 World Cup.”

On the other hand, the selectors gave chances to young players like Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Mavi, and Shubman Gill in the recent series against Sri Lanka.

Karim feels the newly appointed selection panel, which will be led by Chetan Sharma, should back the same T20I team against New Zealand as the young players need time to prove their mettle.

“This same Indian team should be there for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand,” Karim added. “These guys need some time to prove their worth.

“It is important to understand that we have picked this set of players because they want to play a certain brand of cricket. So you need to see if they are trying to play in that fashion or not. I believe that all our players have an aggressive approach in both departments.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand will tour India for three ODIs and as many T20Is in January. Before playing against the Kiwis, India will take on Sri Lanka in three-match ODI series.