New York. Legendary spinner Anil Kumble believes Jasprit Bumrah adapts to the conditions with his adaptability and unique skills and if India has to win the T20 World Cup, then this key fast bowler will have to play a key role.
Bumrah (three wickets for 14 runs) gave a match-winning performance and gave India a thrilling six-run victory over arch-rival Pakistan in the much-awaited match here on Sunday. In reply to India’s 119 runs on the uneven pace pitch of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s team could only score 113 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs. The fast bowling pair of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya (two wickets for 24 runs) brought India back with their sharp bowling.
Kumble said on ‘ESPNcricinfo’, “We saw in the 15th over that he took the wicket (of Mohammad Rizwan) and then in the 19th over, when you knew that if he had taken some boundaries in that over, there would have been 10 or 12 runs left in the last over.” He said, “But once it reaches 18 or 19 runs, it becomes impossible for the tail-enders to come and score runs on such a surface. So if India wins this tournament, Jasprit Bumrah will have to play an important role in it.”
Pandya used the short ball well while Bumrah dismissed Rizwan in the 15th over and then Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over. Only three runs were scored in the 19th over. The equation came down to 18 runs off the last six balls and Arshdeep Singh maintained composure to ensure another spectacular win for India over Pakistan on the world stage.
Praising Bumrah, Kumble said that in terms of selection, he should be the number one player of the team, no matter what the format is and whatever the nature of the pitch. He said, “Jasprit Bumrah should be the number one player in your team’s list. Forget the format, Jasprit Bumrah is your number one player.”