Success will be out of reach if young players including Sanju play like this, this is selfish cricket, says former Indian cricketer

AUCKLAND: Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim has criticized the performance of young players, including Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, in the first ODI against New Zealand. Despite scoring 306 runs in the first match, India lost the match as the New Zealand batters managed to chase down the target comfortably. Saba Karim, a former Indian selector, criticized the players, including Sanju, at a time when criticism was being raised from various corners against middle-order batters for failing to capitalize on the start given by the openers.

According to Saba Karim, there was extra pressure on Sanju and Shreyas Iyer to cement their place in the team. He also said that if the youngsters continue to play with this approach, success will be out of reach for the team.

"If they had played aggressively without fear and pressure, it would have reflected in the game and the result would have been different. The players' insecurity about their position in the team has affected their batting performance, and if they continue to play in this manner, it will be viewed as selfish cricket," Saba Karim said during a television show.

In the first match against New Zealand, India scored 306 runs with Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill scoring half-centuries. However, the outstanding batting performances of wicketkeeper Latham and captain Kane Williamson helped New Zealand to chase down the target with just the loss of three wickets.