Saba Karim: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim believes India's batting unit emerged with plenty of positives from the ODI series against England, but says the team's immediate priority should be settling on a pace attack capable of delivering in Jasprit Bumrah's absence and fine-tuning combinations ahead of future assignments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Assessing India's performance after England claimed the three-match series 2-1, Karim said the top order had answered several important questions, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both making significant contributions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"India have ticked several boxes. Rohit's century put an end to all the speculation surrounding him. Shubman Gill scored runs, batted with great positivity and showed impressive leadership. So, I don't see any major issues with the batting,” Karim told JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While expressing confidence in the batting group, Karim said India's bowling department still requires greater clarity, particularly regarding the pace attack if Bumrah is unavailable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"India's focus now should be on identifying the pace bowling attack if Jasprit Bumrah isn't available. In these conditions, our young and inexperienced pace bowlers struggled a bit. That's why the upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand will be a real test to evaluate these combinations,” he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Karim also stressed the importance of having a wicket-taking wrist spinner in the side and urged the team management to adopt a more conditions-based approach while selecting the playing XI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"India's focus now should be on identifying the pace bowling attack if Jasprit Bumrah isn't available. In these conditions, our young and inexperienced pace bowlers struggled a bit. That's why the upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand will be a real test to evaluate these combinations,” he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's bowling attack came under pressure throughout the deciding ODI at Lord's as England amassed 387\/5 before defending the total to seal the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n