“EXPERIENCE OF THE INDIAN TEAM WILL HELP PUT UP A STRONG PERFORMANCE, UNAFFECTED BY ANY CONTROVERSIES, AGAINST PAKISTAN”: SABA KARIM
Saba Karim shared his thoughts on India’s preparations
POSTED BY: MRUNALI, 4 October 2025
MUMBAI(RMN) : Speaking exclusively during a Media Day hosted by JioStar ahead of the India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025, JioStar expert Saba Karim shared his thoughts on India’s preparations, key challenges, and areas to watch as the tournament progresses.
On the pressure ahead of the game against Pakistan:
“There will be pressure. That’s why India vs Pakistan has become such a big clash, even in the Women’s World Cup. Otherwise, it wouldn’t matter as much. India has played Pakistan before and generally, done well. But because of the so-called controversies that surround such matches, I’m sure the Indian team management and players have prepared simulations to perform under pressure. The best approach for India and the team management is to remove all outside distractions and focus on the game ahead. I’m confident that, with the experience of the Indian players and support staff, the team will put up a strong performance without being affected by any controversies. That said, I do agree that some pressure will exist for the Indian side.”
On key factors for India to win the World Cup:
“For India, the biggest challenge or factor would be to sustain good form, both individually, and as a team. For someone like Smriti Mandhana to maintain that level throughout the tournament will be a huge task, because the team will play at different venues against a variety of oppositions. Similarly, it’s the same story for the rest of the players. Experienced players need strong recovery programs so they can maintain peak performance. And there will be pressure because expectations have risen. India is being talked about as a strong contender to lift the World Cup, so that pressure will also build up. But I am confident that, as a team, India can absorb the pressure and enjoy the challenges ahead. These are a few factors essential for India’s success.”
On India’s fielding and fitness levels:
“In terms of catching efficiency, only New Zealand is right at the top. Even Australia and England haven’t done so well. But the Indian team is constantly trying to improve in this area. From what I’ve seen in practice sessions, the team spends a lot of time, even one-on-one, working on catching. It’s a process that will take some more time, but India’s fitness levels have improved significantly, and better fitness automatically enhances fielding. The team management, especially the fielding coach, is working very hard on this. The goal is to minimize drop-catch percentages, and that will help India remain in contention to lift the World Cup.”
Catch India vs Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025, today, Oct 5, at 3:00 pm, LIVE on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network
