T20 World Cup 2024: “He is the best white-ball bowler in the history of Indian cricket” – Irfan Pathan lauds Jasprit Bumrah’s spell

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan hailed Jasprit Bumrah, tipping him as India’s best ever white-ball bowler, after the team registered a six-run win against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday. India was skittled out for a meagre score of 119 after they were put into bat by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in favorable bowling conditions.

However, India’s pack leader Jasprit Bumrah was magnificent as he bowled in the right areas. The ace pacer returned with impressive figures of 3-14 in his quota of four overs as he bowled at the top of his game. Bumrah accounted for Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed in his fine spell of bowling.

Furthermore, Bumrah bowled a total of 15 dot balls in his quota of four overs. Thus, the gun fast bowler was able to deliver under pressure.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “In the commentary box, before Jasprit Bumrah was about to bowl his last two overs, I said he is Indian bank. He is so safe. He is such a great bowler that you know anytime he will come to bowl, he will bowl those lines and lengths which will keep the Indian team in the game.”

“That’s a special ability. He is the best white-ball bowler in the history of Indian cricket and that’s period. No one comes close to him,” the former India all-rounder added.

Pathan heaped praise on Bumrah for judging every pitch and conditions to perfection and then executing his skills.

“You know why he is so good. A lot of people talk about his skill and action, the unorthodox action that he brings into the game, but they don’t talk about his mindset. His mindset is outstanding. If you want to bowl a particular length on a particular pitch, just follow Jasprit Bumrah,” he elaborated.

Pathan recalled the ODI World Cup clash against Pakistan when Bumrah decided to shorten his length after getting hit for a boundary on the first ball of his spell.

“I will actually give you an example. In an ODI game in Ahmedabad in the 50-over World Cup, I remember that Abdullah Shafique hit a four in the first over off a full delivery. After that, he didn’t bowl a single full-length delivery in his next nine overs. He kept bowling back of a length,” Pathan observed.

“Even today as well, Jasprit Bumrah hardly bowled those yorkers. He used the pitch really well because he knows the side boundaries are huge, and at the same time the pitch had something to offer. So he kept bowling back of a length. So his brain is his strength and that’s why he is so special,” he noted.

India will next take on the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday.