New Delhi, June 21: He has an unconventional run-up. He is different from traditional fast bowlers. His open-chest action is injury prone.
But despite all such limitations and challenges, India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continues to get results, win matches for his team across formats.
Against Afghanistan on Thursday in India's first Super Eight match of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah with his magical spell of 3 for 7, once again fashioned a memorable victory for Team India.
Elated with Bumrah's continued performance and magical spells, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Bumrah and said Rohit Sharma-led side is fortunate to have him in playing 11.
India defeated Afghanistan by 47 runs to start their Super Eight campaign on high. After setting a target of 182 to win at the back of Suryakumar Yadav's blistering half-century, Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh picked three scalps each while Kuldeep Yadav grabbed two dismissals to bowl out Afghanistan for 134 in 20 overs.
"Jasprit Bumrah is performing in USA and West Indies just like Sunil Narine at Eden Gardens during the IPL. There were many matches when he had not conceded the boundary and look at the difference between him and the couple of other seamers. They were also international standard, but quite rightly I mean, he's looking even better and when you look at all the top-class bowlers around the world. There's a big margin between them and Bumrah and India is so fortunate to have him in your playing 11," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo TIMEOUT show.
Former India spinner Anil Kumble also mentioned the fact that Bumrah has a plan for each batter and he uses his bowling variations very smartly.
"The kind of understanding of his own bowling you can make out, even when he got Rahmanullah Gurbaz out on a slower ball and wide line. He gets the execution perfect. You know, that's what it is. It's about yes the variations every bowler has variations. But executing all those variations under pressure getting the line right getting the length, right? For each batsman he would have figured that out and then doing it right in a big game. This doesn't come easy and I think he has given limited boundaries in the entire tournament," Kumble said.
India are unbeaten in the showpiece event with four wins and a washout against Canada. In their next Super Eight match, India will take on Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday.
Impressed with Bumrah and his continued success, former West Indies fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose recently said he wants the Indian bowling spearhead to continue his efforts. He should not change his unique action and run-up, which have been key to his phenomenal success, Ambrose had opined. (With IANS support)
