We Are Very Late In Reacting To It- Saba Karim Opines On Indian Middle Order Woes

Jan 9, 2022 at 12:13 PM

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We Are Very Late In Reacting To It- Saba Karim Opines On Indian Middle Order Woes

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that fifties by Pujara and Rahane are not enough to secure their places as India expects bigger scores from the experienced duo than mere fifties.

On Thursday South Africa beat India by 7 wickets at Johannesburg to level the series by 1-1 with one test to go. The proteas skipper Dean Elgar (96*) led from the front to chase down the target of 240 on Day-4. Earlier Pujara and Rahane scored the fifties in India’s 2nd innings to keep them alive in the game with a 111-run partnership. Notable that Virat Kohli missed out on this test due to an upper back spasm.

Saba Karim. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“They will score runs sometimes because they obviously have experience but we need to think if they are doing enough”-Saba Karim

However, Saba Karim believes that the fifties (from Rahane and Pujara) are not enough to secure their places and India needs to look for alternatives.  He argued that the duo is capable to score 40-50 runs in every 3-4 innings with so much experience they have.

“I believe we are very late in reacting to the fact that our middle-order, which is considered a backbone in the batting lineup, has been struggling for years now. It is important to address as soon as possible. You have so much experience, you can easily score 40-50 runs after every 3-4 innings but does that mean we are moving in the right direction?” Karim said on the Khelneeti podcast.

Pujara hasn’t scored a hundred since January 2019. In fact, since January 2021, Pujara scored only 758 runs in 28 innings with an average of 28.07 while Rahane scored 537 runs in 25 innings with an average of 21.48 which included only 7 and 3 fifties respectively.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)
Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters)

“We have to prepare for the new Test cycle. We have to qualify for the finals. Do you need to take those harsh steps if you want to reach there? This is what Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli and the selectors. (They need to decide) whether the batting order with which we are playing is giving us the full value or not, can we bring some youngsters in their place who has good experience in domestic cricket, will he add more value or not,” said Saba Karim.

Hanuma Vihari got a chance in the second Test match in place of Virat Kohli and he scored an unbeaten 40 in the second innings as he was left stranded.

“Whether it is Rahane or Pujara, they will score runs sometimes because they obviously have experience. But we need to think if they are doing enough and whether any other player can deliver better than them,” he added.

The third and final test will begin on January 11 at Cape Town as India will be eying for their maiden series win in South Africa. India’s next assignment in Tests will be a 2-match series against Sri Lanka at home in February-March.

Also read David Warner Urged Critics To Empathize With Virat Kohli Who Is Going Through A Lean Patch In Int’l Cricket

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