With only 230 runs to defend, India relied on Jasprit Bumrah to repeat his performance against England in Lucknow. Getting an early wicket was critical since Mohammed Siraj was bleeding runs from the other end.
Bumrah delivered a succession of outswingers from over the wicket to Dawid Malan, some of which were too brilliant to take the edge. He also caught the southpaw with a fastball that landed on a leg stump and swung away. Bumrah was aware that it pitched outside leg despite hitting Malan on the pads.
He promptly spun around the wicket against the left-hander, bringing the slip cordon and bowled/LBW into play. Bumrah’s first four deliveries to Malan were angled and straightened somewhat.
The southpaw hit a boundary off Bumrah’s third delivery from around the wicket, unaware that he was being set up by an intelligent cricketing mind. Bumrah next produced a back-of-a-length delivery that only skidded with the angle, unlike his earlier deliveries, causing Malan to mishit. The opener attempted a square cut but was only able to slice it into his stumps.
Joe Root then entered to the crease, an optimal option in this circumstance because the requisite run rate was removed. Bumrah signaled that he would bowl an outswinger by adding an additional slip. But Root was outwitted by the top bowler, who bowled an inswinger at a longer length and trapped him in front.
Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance showed through among the clamor of 50,000 spectators at Ekana Stadium. He had created the much-needed enchantment for the Men in Blue. Joe Root could only stagger back to the pavilion in bewilderment, but he wasn’t the first or, dare I say, the last to be taken aback by Bumrah’s brilliance this World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Bowling Skills Leave Batters Clueless and Helpless
It would be tough for any athlete to hit the ground running after being sidelined for over 11 months due to injury. But Jasprit Bumrah fought hard to return as a 10-over bowler, and it showed in his performances in the 2023 World Cup.
Bumrah has provided a moment of beauty in practically every World Cup encounter this year. Remember how Mitchell Marsh of Australia was set up with five deliveries tight on off-stump before a back-of-a-length ball nipped his outside edge?
Aside from the back-of-the-length delivery that appears to be Bumrah’s go-to weapon, he has also added a well-disguised slower ball to his arsenal, which he is employing more frequently than previously.
Bumrah regards it as a proper off-spin delivery, in his own words. It was the one he used to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan and is a tournament contender. Shadab Khan was not spared in that game-changing spell.
Jasprit Bumrah’s smile said it all as Mahmullah was cleaned up with a scorching yorker. He almost seemed to know he was too talented for the batter.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Improved His Bowling Since the 2019 World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah took 18 wickets in nine games for India in the 2019 World Cup, with an economy rate of 4.41 and an average of 20.61. He has pushed his game to the next level on the big stage four years later.
The Indian pacer has 14 wickets in six matches, behind just Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the wicket-taking standings. Except for Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah has the greatest economy rate among the top 20 wicket-takers at 3.91.
He averages just 15.07, which places him second among the top 50 wicket-takers in the league, with only an exceptional Mohammed Shami (8.44) faring better. Out of the 323 balls thrown by Bumrah thus far in the competition, 219 have been dots, accounting for a whopping 67.8 percent of his total deliveries.
Bumrah was always a superb all-rounder. However, the way he has set up hitters with his diversity, both with the new and old ball, has increased the bar for his performances. Aside from blistering yorkers, the growth in slower deliveries has brought a bit more anticipation to what to expect from the pacer at the death.
It also emphasizes what India was lacking while Bumrah was out with an injury. The Men in Blue needed him to strike the ground running at the World Cup, and he has been that talisman thus far.
India would undoubtedly want him to maintain his fantastic form throughout the tournament and lead them to the championship. Fast bowlers’ careers are frequently altered by extensive injury layoffs. But Jasprit Bumrah is unique, because he simply makes things happen.
