It didn’t look like he was coming back from injury – Aakash Chopra hails Jasprit Bumrah’s Asia Cup 2023 performances

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s performances in the Asia Cup after India lifted their eighth crown in tournament history. Sri Lanka was blown away for a paltry score of 50 runs in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo and India registered a thumping win of 10 wickets with 263 balls remaining.

Jasprit Bumrah was right on the money in the Asia Cup after recovering from a back injury. Bumrah didn’t bowl in the group stage match against Pakistan and then missed the game against Nepal as he went back to India for the birth of his first child.

Bumrah picked up four wickets in three innings of the Asia Cup at an average of 17.75. The ace pacer dismissed Imam-ul-Haq in the Super Fours match against Pakistan. Subsequently, he accounted for Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours.

Bumrah then dismissed Kusal Perera in the very first over of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka on Sunday. The gun fast bowler got the ball to swing and bowled in the right areas to reap rewards.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “We were thinking about whether Jasprit Bumrah would be able to bowl 10 overs. He didn’t need to bowl 10 overs many times but however much he bowled, he did it amazingly well. He has been absolutely outstanding.”

The former Indian opener added: “It didn’t look like he was coming back from injury. It didn’t look like he was struggling. The ball was coming out nicely from his hand, he was swinging it both ways, the pace, rhythm and variations were good. So you say that Bumrah is back, that looks good.”

On the other hand, the renowned commentator also showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist spinner scalped nine wickets in the Asia Cup and was awarded Player of the Tournament. Yadav returned with 5-25 against Pakistan and then had figures of 4-43 against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours.

“India’s World Cup team was also announced during this tournament. Yuzvendra Chahal’s name is not there in that. So all of us were worried about whether Kuldeep Yadav would do the job alone. The way he bowled, the Player of the Tournament, he said he can do it and that he will manage. So Kuldeep Yadav, another huge tick mark.”

Chopra lauded Mohammed Siraj for his superb spell against Sri Lanka in the summit clash as he bagged 6-21, his best bowling figures.

“Mohammed Shami didn’t get that many opportunities but Mohammed Siraj showed that he is the leader of the pack. Of course, Bumrah is this team’s bowling captain, but he (Siraj) showed that the day you give him the opportunity, he does not lag behind anyone.”

India will play against Australia in a three-match ODI series before the World Cup.