A young India side have worked hard to come back from two matches down to level their ongoing T20I series against South Africa, forcing a decider in the final game to be played in Bangalore on Sunday, June 19. However, there is only one objective for both sides and that is to prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
Ahead of the final match of the series, Sports Tak caught up with former India selector Saba Karim for an exclusive interview to discuss India's chances at the World Cup and what they might have to do to be a team to beat at the tournament. It can be noted that India had a very dismal performance in the previous T20 World Cup hosted by India in the UAE.
"Look, if we get to play 20 T20 International matches before the World Cup, then it should be enough in my opinion. Yes, it is necessary that many players are likely to get injured before the World Cup. So, you will have to build up your strong winning playing XI as it gets closer. So, Injury Management I think is going to play a very important role in the World Cup."
The former right-handed batter and wicketkeeper also shared his impression of the team India squad that will be touring Ireland just after the end of the ongoing T20I series against the Proteas under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. Speaking his thought, Karim said, "If seen, many key players are still taking rest due to workload and preparing for the Test match to be held in England. So, the team which is going to tour Ireland.
"I don't think it is a weak team. Because there is time to do all the experiments in terms of the T20 World Cup and it will not be available later. We have many great young players. And if seen, Team India itself seems to have the upper hand," he added.
India's confidence will be immensely boosted if they can turn around their series against South Africa given the poor start that the side had in the ongoing. This will be followed by the T20I series against Ireland, where India is set to field a second-string side ahead of their final, remaining Test match against Englan, which will kick off on July 1 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
