“I don’t know why people don’t talk about Ravindra Jadeja” – Saba Karim ahead of Ajinkya Rahane reappointed as vice-captain

Saba Karim, former wicketkeeper for India and selector, said it was “strange” that India chose to make Ajinkya Rahane the vice-captain for the two Test matches against the West Indies. He claimed that youthful opener Shubman Gill or all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja might have made better selections to replace Rohit Sharma.

Jadeja and Gill, like the majority of the team, lack extensive domestic or IPL captaincy experience (Jadeja took over for MS Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings for the first half of the 2022 IPL season before resigning).

Rahane was, however, removed from India’s red-ball squad after Rohit Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as captain. He only returned for the World Test Championship (WTC) championship game, playing 11, as Shreyas Iyer’s injury replacement.

“I don’t know why people don’t even talk about Ravindra Jadeja. He’s a regular in all formats for the Indian side when he has had major contributions in India’s test success also. So how come he’s never spoken about as a leader? He’s irreplaceable in all three formats for the national side and he’s equally capable of leading the national side. Or if not him then maybe Shubman Gill if the Indian selectors thought that he is the future. I am just saying, there are some candidates,” Karim told in an exclusive interview.

“If you want to groom a cricketer, then why would you go back to Ajinkya Rahane?” – Saba Karim

Saba Karim was also taken aback by the selection committee’s decision to give Rahane the vice-captaincy while simultaneously handing debut calls to young players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, which appeared to be an indication of a change in leadership.

“Even that is equally strange,” Karim stressed. “When you’re looking at transition, when you pick youngsters like Yashavi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, then why would you make Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain. What is the logic behind it? He made a comeback after being dropped from the Test side. He played one Test match. He did well, that is perfectly fine.

“But if you’re looking for the future, if you want to build a side, if you want to groom a cricketer, then why would you go back to Ajinkya Rahane? I mean, with due respect to him and his capabilities as a leader, we need to look at grooming a youngster who could have taken over from Rohit Sharma in times to come.”

When Pant, Rahul, or Bumrah return to the Test team, this choice can put the selectors in hot water. Then, they’ll have to decide whether to keep the 35-year-old Ajinkya Rahane they recently selected or to bench him once more in favour of a young player who was intended to be Rohit’s long-term replacement.

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah And KL Rahul likely To Be Fit For Asia Cup 2023- Reports

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