Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has called out captain Suryakumar Yadav over the utilisation of Jasprit Bumrah in the Super 8 fixture against South Africa. The premium pacer was the standout bowler for the co-hosts, finishing with figures of 3/15 from his four overs. However, Kaif claimed that India lost the match between overs 7-15 and that it largely had to do with when Bumrah was used.
‘Rohit Sharma never used Bumrah…’
In a video on his YouTube channel, Kaif pointed out that Bumrah was given two early overs and the remainder of his quota was kept for the death overs, which eventually costed India the game. He claimed that former Indian captain Rohit Sharma never used Bumrah in such a manner, adding that there was a big gap between the bowler’s spells. Kaif reckoned that India need to bowl Bumrah for just one over in the powerplay and get him back in the 11th or 12th over once again.
“We lost the match between the 7th and 15th over. You used Bumrah’s two overs early and kept the remaining two for the death. But Rohit Sharma never used Bumrah like this. He bowled one over in the middle to break a partnership. There is a big gap between his spells. There is no bigger match-winner in this team than Bumrah. They need to bowl him for just one over in the powerplay, and then get him to bowl the 11th or 12th,” Kaif said.
South Africa handed a 76-run loss to India, ending Suryakumar Yadav and co’s winning streak. The loss has also complicated India’s chances of making it to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, with the team needing to win all their remaining Super 8 fixtures. In the game against SA, Bumrah bowled two overs in the powerplay where he managed to get rid of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton. However, he was brought back into the attack only the 17th over after that.
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