Saba Karim, the former chief selector, praised Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for their outstanding performance in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won comprehensively. Karim suggested that both batters should be considered as opening options for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. He also recommended giving a chance to Abhishek Sharma, with Rishabh Pant expected to bat at No. 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4.
"The most important positions will be in the top order only. I feel the selectors should go with these two (Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill) only. I feel Abhishek Sharma should get a place at least in the 15 because you have Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4," Karim stated in an interview with Sony Sports.
The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will be the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. With Hardik Pandya not in the squad, a new captain will also be appointed after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Karim highlighted the importance of the captain and head coach's input in team selection, considering players like Ruturaj Gaikwad who are also vying for a spot in the top order.
India's second-string team, led by Shubman Gill, secured a 4-1 series win against Zimbabwe in the fifth T20I, showcasing their adaptability and hunger for success in challenging conditions.
"It was an excellent series. The players showed remarkable adaptability after the initial loss, despite being unfamiliar with the conditions. Their resilience and determination were commendable," Gill remarked.