Former India wicketkeeper and ex-selector of national team Saba Karim heaped praise on Vidarbha left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey for his heroics in the Ranji Trophy this season. Dubey’s all-round performance with ball and bat was instrumental in Vidarbha winning their third Ranji Trophy title early this month. Dubey scored over 450 runs and made a national record by taking 69 wickets in a single season as Vidarbha remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Saba Karim, who was in city to grace the Bankers’ Sports Council’s annual awards function said he was impressed with Dubey’s bowling. “I am highly impressed with left-arm spinner Dubey’s bowling. He bowled beautifully and is a bright prospect,” said Karim who has played 34 One-Dayers for India. When asked about Dubey donning India colours, Karim said that the young all-rounder will have to perform consistently and will have to wait for his chance. “He had a good one full Ranji season.

 

I have seen him bowl and he was really impressive. But he will have to show consistency in a few more seasons. Then only the selectors would gauge his temperament and skills,” the former India selector explained. When asked about another star performer of Vidarbha Karun Nair’s chances of returning to India dressing room, Karim said, “Karun has done everything he can to attract selectors’ attention. He has scored runs in the entire season heavily. But the Indian is packed at the moment. They can’t remove any set batter only to include Nair.

 

He might get a call for India’s England tour (in June) but it would be very difficult to dismantle a set squad,” Karim reasoned. The 57-year-old stumper hoped that India would have an upper hand in England given the visitors bowling and strong batting. “I think India will have an upper hand in England. They don’t have pace bowlers like Stuart Broad and James Anderson. And for us, we have Jasprit Bumrah (subject to fitness) and Mohd Shami....plus the young bowlers like Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana are doing well in whatever chances they are getting. So, I think India have an advantage,” Karim concluded.