India speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who has been named the vice-captain of the Indian team for the South Africa ODI series, has stressed that the team management has a vision in mind to know which direction to take on the road to the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
The upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting from January 19, will be the first step for Team India to start the preparations and determine the players for the World Cup 2023.
Bumrah said in the virtual press conference: “We have to keep a vision in order to know which direction we have to go ahead of the 2023 World Cup. The preparations will start from advance if some new players come or which direction we have to go. We will try to give equal opportunities to everyone.”
He added, “So, I think maintaining a vision is going to be very important. Giving importance to each and every series and staying in the present and trying to see what has to be done in that situation will be valued. But keeping a vision is really important and we will try to set it.”
On his approach to the 50-over matches after playing Test cricket, Bumrah said: “You have to move forward. It’s a different format of the game. The pace of the game changes and load on the body reduces as well. We have to focus on the things that we have to do. It’s a shorter format, faster pace.”
He added, “As a bowler, you have to quickly assess and play around with the variation on what you have to do as a bowling unit. That’s the change I will be looking forward to do. Going with a fresh mindset and looking forward to contributing to the team however, I can and trying to take the team forward.”
In recent times, the Indian team has seen a lot of changes, especially in terms of captaincy, with Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli as a white-ball captain. He is missing the South Africa tour due to injury which means KL Rahul will captain the side in the ODI series.
But Bumrah said that the players are happy and no one in the team is facing issues over changes in leadership.
The 28-year-old said, “I can’t speak for everyone. But, for me, I can say that it doesn’t really make a lot of difference. We all are here to help in however way we can and I think that’s the way all the players are responding to the changes that are happening as well.”
He further explained, “Everybody is respectful and understands how the processes are going. Change is the only constant, so we are happy. Everybody is contributing and getting a lot of knowledge, for which everyone is trying to contribute towards it. I don’t think anybody is facing a problem or is in a weird space with the change that is happening.
Everybody understands the change and have played enough cricket to understand that this is how change goes and this is how you have to move forward. Everyone in the team is quite positive and quite eager to contribute and go about the change that is now happening.”
Bumrah signed off by saying on Mohammed Siraj, “I think he’s fine. He’s practicing with us. So, I don’t see any discomfort. Hopefully, everything stays that way. Nothing that I am aware of right now. But everyone seems to be okay. Hopefully, it stays that way.”
(With IANS Inputs)
