Jasprit Bumrah: A Threat to T20 World Cup Rivals
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA draws near, the ongoing IPL is set to play a crucial role in shaping the teams’ squads for the prestigious event, scheduled to commence immediately after the conclusion of the T20 league on 1 June.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah is a sure inclusion in their 15-member T20 World Cup squad, with a strong possibility of him being a part of the playing XI for all of India’s matches. Given his current form, the fast bowler is expected to be one of India’s key players at the tournament, following his absence from the 2022 edition due to injury.
Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer for India in the World Cup.
In his seven IPL matches so far, Bumrah has claimed 13 wickets with an impressive economy of 5.96. He also holds the record for the best innings figures in the tournament so far, with 5/21 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru last week.
After Thursday’s (18 April) thrilling match against Punjab Kings, the Mumbai Indians bowler claimed the Purple Cap – awarded to the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. He returned 3/21, including a double-wicket over inside the Powerplay.
While Bumrah has been a key player for his team in the death overs, he has also expressed his desire to make an impact early on in the innings.
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“Of course, you want to make an impact early on when the ball does something,” he said after Mumbai won a thriller against Punjab in the last over by nine runs.
“Because in this format, probably the ball does swing for the first two overs. And when I want to bowl more, I do play Test cricket. That is where all my desires for bowling more gets over. In this format, when the ball swings for the first two overs, you do want to make an impact and when the opportunity comes, I’m happy to contribute,” he added.
In an IPL season marked by the record for the highest team total being broken thrice this year, also featuring numerous high-scoring games, Bumrah boasts the best economy rate in the tournament so far (minimum overs bowled: 3).
The fast bowler highlighted the rules that favor the batters, making T20 a challenging format for the bowlers, and explained how he prepares to showcase his best in the shortest format.
Bowling highlights as India pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s 4/39 ensured the Afghanistan innings was kept in check at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
“Obviously, this format is a little difficult for the bowlers because the batsmanship is going up,” he said. “With the time restrictions [over-rate penalties] as well and the Impact Player rule, that does not help the bowler too much because the batting line-up becomes deeper and deeper and the bowler becomes half the bowler when you get an extra option.
“But I feel like all of those things are not in your control. What you can do is try to prepare to the best of your ability and back yourself in any situation because all of that will then put you in a good space of mind and you can go out there and execute with a smile on your face.”
With top pacers from other teams like New Zealand’s Trent Boult (current economy rate: 7.37), South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (8.32), Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman (9.15), Australia’s Mitchell Starc (10.54) recording economy rates over 7, Bumrah has remained impeccable in keeping the batters in check.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins on 1 June with a double-header day in Dallas and Guyana. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland in New York on 5 June.