Cricket News

Can Umran Malik make his international debut in the 4th T20I? Ex-India selector gives his opinion

India and South Africa are all set to lock horns with each other in the penultimate fixture of the five-match T20I series. The match will be played at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on June 17 (Friday). As of now, the visitors are leading the series with a score line of 2-1.

Rishabh Pant’s men made a stellar comeback in the third T20I of the series with a 48-run-win over the visitors. The Indian team is looking forward to level the series against South Africa by winning the fourth of the five-match T20I series.

There have been talks and discussions among the experts about the possible playing XI of India in the second-last match of the series. Recently, Ex-Indian selector Saba Karim has also opined on the possibilities of change in the hosts’ playing XI.

Rahul Dravid’s mentality has always been to ensure a player’s security in the team – Saba Karim

Karim, in an interaction with India News, said that the Indian team is feeling the pressure to claim a series win at this point. And, thus, India are unlikely to make a change in their playing XI. 

“The game in which Bhuvneshwar and Harshal Patel conceded more than 40 runs, Avesh gave away around 30-35. I would like to see every player in the squad getting a chance but the pressure of winning a series is so high on the coach and captain that they usually don’t for any change. The aim is to select a team that could win you the game; unless there is a forced change to the line-up due to an injury or any other reason,” Karim was quoted as saying to India News.

“Rahul Dravid’s mentality has always been to ensure a player’s security in the team. Even if he’s resting a somebody, it happens after proper communication and a valid reason is given to him. But as of now, since the pressure of winning the series is high, I don’t see any change in the bowling unit,” he added later.