Saba Karim Questions Suryakumar Yadav's Place in Team Ahead of 2028 T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav's Recent Performance Under Scrutiny

On Thursday, former Indian cricketer and selector Saba Karim expressed doubts about Suryakumar Yadav's position in the national team, citing his ongoing struggles with the bat. As the selectors shift their focus towards the 2028 T20 World Cup, Karim believes Yadav's inconsistent performance does not justify his inclusion.

The 35-year-old batsman has had difficulty maintaining his form, despite a few notable half-centuries earlier this year against New Zealand and a crucial innings in the T20 World Cup opener against the USA.

In the IPL, Yadav's performance has also been lackluster, accumulating only 270 runs in 13 matches, with a strike rate of 147.54 and just two fifties.

Karim remarked, "Given his current form, Suryakumar may not align with the selection committee's vision for the future of the team." He noted that the committee has previously moved on from established players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, suggesting a similar shift could occur as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

He added, "Suryakumar's inconsistent form during the World Cup has persisted into the IPL, indicating that selectors need to look ahead now."

Rajat Patidar: A Strong Contender for Captaincy

Karim also highlighted Rajat Patidar, who has successfully led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two consecutive IPL titles, as a potential candidate for the Indian captaincy. Despite being 33 and yet to debut in T20Is, Patidar's leadership has impressed Karim.

"I believe Rajat Patidar should be considered for captaincy. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is no small feat, and he has done so with composure and confidence," Karim stated.

He praised Patidar's ability to manage a team filled with international stars, emphasizing the challenges of leading such a diverse group of players.

In addition to Patidar, Karim mentioned other candidates for the captaincy, including Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, stating, "I think Shreyas Iyer is a strong contender, along with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. There are several capable candidates for the role."

Concerns Over Hardik Pandya's Leadership

Karim expressed skepticism regarding Hardik Pandya's suitability as a captain, citing concerns about his leadership abilities. Although the Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs last season, questions were raised about Pandya's leadership style.

"Based on his current form, I don't believe he can justify his position as captain of the Indian team," Karim commented.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: A Rising Star

Karim also mentioned 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting that he has done enough to merit consideration for the national team. He expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi would be discussed by selectors during the upcoming tri-nation series in Sri Lanka.

"If he performs well, I am certain he will be in the selectors' thoughts," Karim noted, emphasizing the importance of recognizing such talent early on. He added, "Determining his batting position in the squad will be a different challenge altogether."