T20 World Cup 2021: There can’t be a bigger X-factor than Jasprit Bumrah – Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons there can’t be a bigger X-factor than Jasprit Bumrah in terms of bowling in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Bumrah is one of the best death bowlers in the world and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team. The fast bowler is well known to nail the yorkers and he will look to deliver the goods for the team.

Bumrah was in good form in the recently concluded IPL 2021 as he scalped 21 wickets in 14 matches and bowled with an average of 19.45 and economy rate of 7.45.

Furthermore, Bumrah continued his good form as he scalped the wicket of Jonny Bairstow with a perfect yorker and conceded only 26 runs in the four overs he bowled against England in the warm-up match.

“When we talk about Varun Chakravarthy, it’s clear that he will do really well because he has mystery and also is in top form,” Irfan Pathan said on the Star Sports show Follow the Blues. “But according to me in terms of bowling, there is only one X factor and that is Bumrah. There can’t be a bigger X factor than Bumrah in any other team,” he added.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir also agreed with Irfan Pathan and feels the likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Varun Chakravarthy will hold the key for the Indian team.

Gautam said, “Reckon that KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Varun Chakravarthy and probably an X factor, which will be Jasprit Bumrah.”

Meanwhile, India last won the T20 World Cup back in 2007 and they haven’t won any major trophies since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Furthermore, this T20 World Cup will be the last assignment for Virat Kohli as a leader in the shortest format of the game.

“All he would be looking for is to win the T20 competition and I’m sure that the entire team will be looking to do that as well because it’s been a long 14 years of wait. I’m sure that it’s not only about Virat Kohli’s going to be captaining India for the last time in the T20 format, it’s about just winning the tournament and him winning as captain will be icing on the cake.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 24.