T20 World Cup 2024: Indian legend Kapil Dev has questioned the Indian management for not opening the bowling with spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. After Sunil Gavaskar’s criticism on the same issue, Kapil Dev also joined in. In both India’s games – and Ireland’s and Pakistan’s – it was Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj who took the new ball. However, it was Jasprit Bumrah who took the Man of the Match award in both games. After his heroics against Pakistan, the cries for Bumrah to open the bowling grew louder.
“He needs to bowl first, he is a wicket-taker,” said Kapil, speaking to ABP News. “If you make him pitch the fifth or sixth pitcher, the game could slip out of his hands,” he added.
The context for the criticism comes from the fact that India were defending a small total of 119 against Pakistan, and not opening with their deadliest scorer could have left them in an unfavorable position.
Bumrah turned the game in India’s favor late on, taking three crucial wickets for Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed. He finished with figures of 3/14.
“This is not a Test match. This is T20. The faster you take wickets, the more pressure it puts on the opposition,” said Kapil, India’s leading fast bowling wicket-taker in Tests.
“It’s better to have a positive mindset. If Bumrah opens the bowling and gets a few wickets, life will also become easier for the other bowlers,” Kapil said.
Kapil praised Bumrah for exceeding expectations and achieving the status of the best player in the world.
“We didn’t think he would be able to play so much cricket because his action and the way he runs puts pressure on his body and shoulders. But he proved us all wrong,” praised Kapil about Bumrah.
India face hosts USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, June 12, with the winner securing a place in the Super 8s.
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