Saba Karim has stated surprise at Jasprit Bumrah’s appointment as Team India vice-captain for the ODI series against South Africa earlier of Rishabh Pant.
Rohit Sharma was assumed to lead the Indian side when the ODI series against the Proteas. Despite that, he was ruled out due to a obstruct injury.
Accordingly, the selectors appropriately appointed KL Rahul and Bumrah as skippers and vice-captains.
During a conversation on India News, Saba Karim was questioned about Jasprit Bumrah’s elevation as Rahul’s deputy. He answered:
BCCI has announced the Team India squad for the ODI series against South Africa.
KL Rahul will be leading the side 💪#Teamindia #SAvIND #klrahul pic.twitter.com/wZXMGA7Y02
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) December 31, 2021
“I was extremely surprised; I was not expecting Jasprit Bumrah to be made the vice-captain. I was hoping that Rishabh Pant had more chances to be made the vice-captain because he is also a multi-format player; he plays all the three formats.”
Also read:- “He bats beautifully until he gets out” – Wasim Jaffer examines Kohli’s 35 on Day 1 of the match.
The former India selector highlights Pant’s better experience leading a side than Jasprit Bumrah to confirm his point. Karim explained:
“His [Pant’s] performances as captain of the Delhi Capitals have been very good. We see how he reads the match; he has a lot of game awareness.
“Jasprit Bumrah has the talent, his role is very important for the Indian team, but he has not captained anywhere till now. So it is slightly surprising, and I felt that Rishabh Pant was the first candidate as vice-captain.”
Rishabh Pant and Rahul were usually regarded as the forefront to be Rohit Sharma’s deputy in ODI cricket.
With the Karnataka cricketer now hoped to be full-time vice-captain, the selectors might have selected to make Bumrah, his deputy for this series, as a temporary measure arrangement.
Also read:- “He bats beautifully until he gets out” – Wasim Jaffer examines Kohli’s 35 on Day 1 of the match
Also read:- “You can’t just trust on a Kohli or a Pujara” – Rahul Dravid.