Anil Kumble, the legendary Indian cricketer, believes that this adaptability and niche skills of Jasprit Bumrah makes him a key man in India’s success at T20 World Cup. No other bowler bowls better than him because he can perform at any time irrespective of how difficult the conditions are.
Bumrah demonstrated his ability to win games for his team in the match against Pakistan played on a York ground by taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs.His efforts were instrumental in getting India home by six runs against their traditional rivals as well.
For example, even though it was not easy as they were bundled out for a paltry 119 on a difficult two paced track at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, it was once again due to the efforts of pace duo of Bumrah along with Hardik Pandya (2/24) which take them back into the contest through their incisive bowling spells. Pakistan eventually managed only 113 for seven in their allotted quota of twenty overs thus failing to reach target.
“He got that wicket [of Mohammad Rizwan] in that fifteenth over and then you know going into that nineteenth over you knew if he had given couple boundaries so last over ten runs twelve runs possible,” Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo website.
“Impossible for tail-enders to come and get those runs once it gets down to eighteen runs ninteen runs like he saw on surfaces like this. So Jasprit Bumrah if India go on to win this tournament he would have to play a major role,” Kumble said.
The short balls by Pandya together with some crucial wickets taken by Bumrah during the latter part of the innings. In the 15th over, Bumrah removed Mohammad Rizwan who was considered very dangerous then quickly dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed in penultimate over leaving three runs only.
It was only Arshdeep Singh’s exceptional calmness under pressure that saved another memorable win against their arch-rivals at the global level, as India won by 18 runs off the last six balls.
Kumble had high praises for Bumrah, whom he considered very vital for the team.
“I think on any given day, and I said this about him a long time ago, I think Jasprit Bumrah should be your number one (choice) in your team list. It doesn’t matter which format; Jasprit Bumrah is your number one (choice). Yes, it wasn’t easy for bowlers on this wicket but just talking about variations and also how much pressure we put on the batters…” Kumble said.
“Know that it’s not going to be easy forget the surface itself,” began his answer. “We’ve seen that right through his career. Any batsman coming in front of Bumrah know as soon they lay eyes on him that it’s going to be difficult and especially tough like on a surface like this so he just builds up that pressure.”
