‘How come he’s never spoken about as a leader’: Saba Karim on Ravindra Jadeja

“I don’t know why people don’t even talk about Ravindra Jadeja. He’s a regular in all formats for the Indian side and he has had major contributions to India’s test success also. So how come he’s never spoken about as a leader?” Karim said, speaking to Sportskeeda.

He also spoke about the prospect of making Shubman Gill to be considered in the future.

“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.”

Jadeja’s stint as captain for the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings was not fruitful, which was the highest level where he was part of a leadership group. Karim was also unhappy with the selectors making Ajinkya Rahane the vice-captain of the side for the upcoming West Indies series.

Karim said, “When you’re looking at transition when you pick youngsters like Yashavi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, then why would you make Ajinkya Rahane 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,” he added.