Saba Karim: India must fix pace attack, plan deeper after England ODI loss
Synopsis
India lost the England ODI series 2-1, and former wicketkeeper Saba Karim is pointing at the real problem: not the batting, which held up, but a pace attack that has no credible answer when Bumrah is unavailable. With a five-match New Zealand tour on the horizon, the management's selection thinking is about to face a serious stress test.
Key Takeaways
England won the three-match ODI series 2-1 against India.
Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim said identifying a pace attack without Jasprit Bumrah is India's most urgent priority.
Rohit Sharma's century and Shubman Gill's consistent batting were highlighted as positives from the series.
India's young pace bowlers struggled in English conditions, exposed during the Lord's decider where England posted 387/5 .
Karim called for a wicket-taking wrist spinner — citing Kuldeep Yadav as one option — and conditions-based XI selection.
The upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand was identified as the next key evaluation window.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim has said that while India's batting unit drew several positives from the recently concluded ODI series against England, the team's most pressing task is identifying a reliable pace attack capable of performing in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and sharpening combination planning ahead of future tours.
Batting Positives Amid Series Defeat
England claimed the three-match ODI series 2-1, but Karim noted that the top order had answered key questions. He pointed specifically to Rohit Sharma's century and Shubman Gill's consistent run-scoring as significant takeaways.
'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 said in an interview with JioStar.
Pace Bowling Remains the Core Concern
Despite the batting confidence, Karim was candid about the bowling unit's shortcomings. He flagged that India's younger, less-experienced pace bowlers struggled to adapt to English conditions — a vulnerability that becomes critical whenever Bumrah is unavailable.
'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,' he said, adding that the upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand would serve as a genuine evaluation ground for these combinations.
Wrist Spin and Conditions-Based Selection
Karim also underlined the need for a wicket-taking wrist spinner in the middle overs, naming Kuldeep Yadav as one option without closing the door on alternatives. More broadly, he urged India's team management to move beyond generic selection and adopt a sharper, conditions-specific approach.
'You need a wrist spinner who can provide wickets in the middle overs, whether that's Kuldeep Yadav or someone else is a different discussion. India need to dive deeper into their planning according to the opposition, the conditions and the ground dimensions and then take the field with the right resources and the right combination,' Karim stated.
Lord's Decider Exposed Bowling Gaps
The concerns Karim raises are rooted in evidence. India's bowling attack came under sustained pressure in the deciding ODI at Lord's, where England posted a commanding 387/5 before successfully defending the total to seal the series. The inability to contain a high-powered England batting lineup on a flat pitch laid bare the depth — or lack of it — in India's pace resources beyond Bumrah.
New Zealand Tour as Next Benchmark
The five-match ODI series in New Zealand now looms as the immediate opportunity for India to test alternate combinations and build pace-bowling depth. New Zealand's conditions — typically offering seam and swing — could provide a sterner, more revealing examination than the English summer pitches. How the management responds to Karim's call for deeper, opposition-aware planning will set the tone for India's white-ball cycle ahead.
Point of View
Yet the management has not produced a settled second seamer, let alone a third. The Lord's 387 was not a one-off; it reflected a bowling unit that lacks both variety and experience at the top level when its ace is absent. The New Zealand tour is a genuine chance to stress-test combinations, but only if selectors are willing to make uncomfortable calls rather than default to the same rotation. Conditions-based planning, which Karim advocates, also demands a more honest conversation about whether India's current pace bench is ready for international scrutiny — or simply needs more domestic cricket.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Saba Karim say about India's batting after the England ODI series?
Karim said India's batting unit emerged with clear positives, specifically praising Rohit Sharma's century and Shubman Gill's consistent and positive approach. He said he saw no major issues with the batting group going forward.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah's absence a concern for India's ODI planning?
Bumrah is India's premier pace bowler, and without him the team's younger, less-experienced seamers struggled to contain England in English conditions. Karim flagged that identifying a reliable pace combination for Bumrah's absence is now India's most immediate bowling priority.
What happened in the deciding ODI at Lord's?
England posted 387/5 in the deciding third ODI at Lord's and successfully defended the total, sealing the series 2-1. India's bowling attack came under sustained pressure throughout the innings, highlighting depth concerns in the pace department.
What role did Karim say a wrist spinner should play for India?
Karim stressed the importance of having a wrist spinner capable of taking wickets in the middle overs, naming Kuldeep Yadav as one candidate. He argued this was part of a broader need for conditions-based selection and more detailed opposition-specific planning.
What is India's next major ODI assignment after the England series?
India are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a five-match ODI series, which Karim identified as a key evaluation opportunity to test bowling combinations and settle on the right resources for future assignments.
