NEWS
Follow UsAfter Virat Kohli’s shock decision to step down as the leader of the Indian side in the longest format, several names have made to the top of the list as replacement. While Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have previously led the national team in some quarters, names such as Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah have gathered the steam.
The 28-year-old expressed his interest over the leadership role, stating that if given an ‘opportunity’, he will always take it. However, Bumrah insisted that his aim would always be to contribute to the development of the team in his own measures.
“For me, I’m ready to contribute in whichever manner. I don’t chase to become the captain. It doesn’t matter if I have a post or not, I always aim to contribute for the team. That has always been my process. If given an opportunity (Test leadership), I will always take it. But if I get it, I will always put my best,” said Bumrah in the online pre-match press conference.
“For me, the role doesn’t change at all, I have to do my job first, isn’t it? I will try to help in whichever manner I can,” he said. “I will always try to help KL (ODI skipper for SA ODI series) and will talk to the younger guys and will have some discussions with them. No specific responsibility or pressure will be there, it is always going to be the same for me.”
On injury concerns, the Indian pacer stated that the team has a fit team in front of them, with Mohammed Siraj returning to training after the hamstring injury he endured during the second Test.
“I think Siraj is fine, I don’t see any discomfort. As of now, there is nothing, so hopefully, it stays the same way,” he added.
Over the years, Bumrah’s emergence has been immense in the Indian team, with his role now as a leader of the pace group. But on what he would do for the youngsters, the pacer expressed that he would share his ‘experience’ on and off the field for their improvement.
“I always want responsibility, it doesn’t matter which or where, I always look forward to do my best with that responsibility. When I was new, I used to ask questions, so that I could learn. If youngsters ask me questions, I will share my experience as well. We want the team to communicate more and even if the new guys are ready to share their experience, we will be ready to learn from that.”
However, even at the newly elevated role as the ODI vice-captain, Bumrah insisted that there won’t be a ‘lot of difference’ on the field.
“See, I can’t speak for everyone. For me, it doesn’t make a lot of difference, we are here to help each other. The entire team is respectful and we know that, we are together in this. Everyone are contributing and I don’t think anyone is facing a problem. Everyone has played cricket, everyone as a team is quite eager and positive to go about the change in the team.”
