"I was extremely surprised" - Saba Karim says Jasprit Bumrah's appointment as India's ODI vice-captain surprised him

Jasprit Bumrah, the star Indian cricket team pace bowler, has been named Team India's vice-captain for the forthcoming three-match One-Day International series against South Africa. He will serve as KL Rahul's assistant, who has taken over the duties from Rohit Sharma, as the new Indian ODI team captain has failed recuperate from a hamstring injury.

Whereas Rahul was a foregone conclusion, Bumrah's getting appointed as vice-captain came as a surprise considering the achievement and performance of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer as captains of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. However, the selection committee chose Jasprit Bumrah, who is a regular member of Team India across all formats of the game.

Saba Karim, a former Team India selector, was taken aback by Bumrah's elevation to vice-captaincy. Because he thinks that Rishabh Pant is a multi-format player, and believes he should have had better chance of succeeding.

Saba Karim, while speaking to India Today, stated that he was very surprised when he came to knew that Bumrah has been made vice-captain as he was hoping for Rishabh Pant to be in that position.

In addition, Jasprit Bumrah is now a senior member of Team India, but he's never captained a team. He hasn't been a part of the leadership group before, and he'll be wearing the vice-hat captain's for the first time in South Africa.

Saba Karim also touched upon this point, he stated that Jasprit Bumrah is a talented player and plays important role in the Indian team, but since he has no previous leadership experience, it felt as a surprising decision to him.

India tour of South Africa

The One Day International (ODI) series is set to take place after the currently ongoing 3 match Test series. India is already leading the 3 match series after winning the first match. The 2nd Test is to be played from the 3rd of January while the 3rd one will begin from the 11th January.

As for the ODI series, it will kick-off from the 19 January, with the first match to be played at the Boland Park Stadium in Paarl. That will be followed by the 2nd and 3rd ODI in the 21st and 23rd January in Paarl and Cape Town respectively.