Not Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma, Anil Kumble Backs This Indian Player To Play Major Role In T20 World Cup
"We saw that with that 15th over where he got that wicket (of Mohammad Rizwan), and then the 19th over, when you knew that in that over if he had given a couple of boundaries, then last over 10 runs, 12 runs, possible," Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo.
"But once it gets to that 18 runs, 19 runs, on a surface like this, (it's) impossible for the tail-enders to come and get those runs. So Jasprit Bumrah, if India go on to win this tournament, he would have to play a major role," Kumble said.
Jasprit Bumrah to be number 1 on team list according to Anil Kumble
Despite India's modest total of 119 runs on a challenging pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Bumrah, along with Hardik Pandya, turned the game around with their effective bowling. Bumrah's dismissal of a well-set Rizwan in the 15th over and Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over, coupled with Pandya's strategic use of short balls, swung the momentum in India's favor.
"Jasprit Bumrah should be your number one in your team list. Forget about the format, Jasprit Bumrah is your number one. Yes, this is a pitch where it was not easy for the bowlers but the variations and also the kind of pressure he puts on the batters..." Kumble said.
"Knowing that it's not going to be easy, forget the surface, any surface, we have seen that right throughout his career, it's not easy. Any batter coming in front of Bumrah knows that it's going to be tough, and on a surface like this, he just builds the pressure," he added.
With Pakistan needing 18 runs off the final six balls, Arshdeep Singh maintained his composure, securing another memorable win for India against Pakistan on the global stage. Kumble showered praise on Bumrah, labeling him as India's top player across all formats and surfaces, underscoring his indispensability to the team.
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