Jasprit Bumrah, an Indian pacer has admitted that having a vision is very important as they approach the 2023 World Cup, which will be played at home. The fast bowler stated that while they have an eye on the ICC event, the team is not looking too far ahead and is treating each series with equal significance.
Having won the 2011 edition, also played at home, India was a semi-finalist in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. With the World Cup returning to India in 2023, there will be additional pressure on the hosts to win the coveted trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah Wants Teammates To Stay In The Present And Treat Every ODI Series As Significant Before 2023 ODI World cup
At a press conference ahead of the ODI series against South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah was asked if India have begun preparations for the 2023 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah responded: “We need to have a vision as to in what direction we need to move for the 2023 World Cup. So the preparations begin in advance. If some new players come in, then we will try to give them equal opportunities.
“Having a vision is very important. But, at the same time, we need to stay in the present and treat each and every series as significant. We need to value that. So yes, having a vision is very important and we will try and implement the same.”
India’s dream to conquer the ‘Final Frontier’ was prolonged after they lost the recently-concluded three-match Test series against South Africa 2-1 from a position of strength despite drawing first blood in the series-opener at Centurion. The teams will feature next in an ODI series which will comprise three games.
The 1st ODI will take place on January 19 at Boland Park in Paarl. The 2nd ODI will also take place at the same venue on January 21. The 3rd and the last ODI is scheduled to be played at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town on January 23. KL Rahul will be leading the Indian team in the succeeding ODI series whereas, Temba Bavuma would be the Proteas skipper.
Jasprit Bumrah was part of the Indian team that crashed out of the 2019 World Cup following an 18-run defeat to New Zealand in the semi-final in Manchester.
Jasprit Bumrah Doesn’t See Any Discomfort With Mohammed Siraj Who Is Practicing With Teammates
India was dealt a big blow during the Test series when Mohammed Siraj was ruled out of the Cape Town Test due to fitness issues. While he played in the second Test in Johannesburg, he did not look 100 per cent.
Asked for an update on the pacer who has become a critical component of the team in a short span of time, the 28-year-old Jasprit Bumrah asserted: “He’s fine, he is practicing with us. I don’t see any discomfort so hopefully everything stays that way. (Other injury issues) Nothing that I am aware of right now. Everyone seems to be okay.”
India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa will begin with the first game in Boland Park, Paarl on Wednesday, January 19.
India’s off-spinner Washington Sundar was ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa after testing positive for COVID-19 during the camp in Bengaluru. Washington Sundar was supposed to travel to Cape Town with the ODI members on Wednesday and join the rest of the squad ahead of the ODI series starting January 19th.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jayant Yadav as a replacement for Washington Sundar. The Committee also added fast bowler Navdeep Saini to the ODI squad as a back-up for Mohammed Siraj who is still recovering from his hamstring injury that he sustained in the 2nd Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
India Squad: KL Rahul (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jayant Yadav, Navdeep Saini.