Irfan Pathan: Jasprit Bumrah Was the True MVP in High-Scoring Semi-Final
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has publicly disagreed with the official Player of the Match adjudication following India’s narrow seven-run victory over England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan argued that pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s economical bowling on a batting-friendly Wankhede surface was the primary factor in India’s progression to the final.
While the match saw nearly 500 runs scored, with Sanju Samson scoring 89 and England’s Jacob Bethell hitting a century, Pathan contended that Bumrah’s ability to restrict scoring during the death overs differentiated the two sides.
Match Statistics: High-Scoring Thriller at Wankhede
The semi-final featured aggressive batting performances from both squads, resulting in a combined total of 499 runs.
| Team | Score | Top Performer | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 253/7 (20 ov) | Sanju Samson (89 off 42) | 15 sixes in innings |
| England | 246/7 (20 ov) | Jacob Bethell (105 off 48) | Lost by 7 runs |
Pathan’s Analysis: Economy Rate Over Runs Scored
In a match where bowlers struggled to contain opposing batters, Pathan highlighted the disparity between Bumrah’s figures and the general trend of the game. Most bowlers conceded runs at an economy rate hovering around or exceeding 10 runs per over. In contrast, Bumrah delivered two decisive overs late in the game—the 16th and 18th—conceding just 14 runs combined during that phase.
“According to me, Jasprit Bumrah should have been the Player of the Match,” Pathan stated. “If you watched the game, you would have noticed that every other bowler had an economy rate of around 10. Some were even above 10 or close to 15. On such a flat pitch, 500 runs were scored. The one who performs the difficult job in such conditions is the real Player of the Match.”
Pathan emphasized specific tactical executions by the Indian pacer:
- Pressure Management: Delivering four dot-ball equivalents (yorkers) in the 18th over when England required 45 runs from 18 balls.
- Versatility: Effectively utilizing yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers to disrupt batting rhythm.
- Impact: Setting up the final over for Hardik Pandya by leaving enough runs in the bank.
Tactical Masterclass Against Harry Brook
Pathan specifically pointed to Bumrah’s dismissal of Harry Brook as evidence of superior cricketing intelligence. Rather than relying on raw pace, Bumrah anticipated Brook’s preference for speed and deployed a slower delivery immediately.
“He did not try to bowl fast because he has a brilliant cricketing mind,” Pathan explained. “He knew Harry Brook likes pace. So instead of giving him pace, he trapped him with a slower delivery, which eventually led to Axar Patel taking the catch.”
Context: The Road to the Final
India’s first innings was anchored by Sanju Samson, who struck eight fours and seven sixes. He received aggressive support from Shivam Dube (43 off 25) and Ishan Kishan (39 off 18), allowing India to post a formidable 253/7.
England’s chase faltered early at 95/4 but was revived by a 77-run partnership between Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks. Bethell’s century kept England in contention until the final overs, where the combination of Bumrah’s economy and Hardik Pandya’s composure secured the win.
India will now face the New Zealand national cricket team in the tournament final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8.