Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s spell against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday. Bumrah got the early wicket of Mitchell Marsh with Virat Kohli taking a fine catch at first slip. The ace pacer got the ball to move slightly away from the right-hander to produce an outside edge.
The gun-fast bowler was right on the money as he hardly gave anything to Australia’s top order after Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first. Bumrah also accounted for Australian captain Pat Cummins towards the fag end of the innings as he returned with impressive figures of 2-35 in his quota of 10 overs.
Pathan hailed Bumrah for setting up Mitchell Marsh with his guile and providing a crucial early wicket.
Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “Absolutely, you won’t get a better bowler than him. You won’t get a more experienced bowler than Jasprit Bumrah. He is in form, knows these pitches and conditions very well, and knows best how to adjust his bowling accordingly.”
The former Indian all-rounder added: “He dismissed Marsh by setting him up. He was bowling inswing before this and here he made the ball to go straight, and made it look like an outswinger for the batter. Virat Kohli definitely took an exceptional catch but the way Bumrah bowls, if he remains fit for the entire World Cup, no team can stop us from lifting the trophy.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj was hit for a four on the first ball he bowled against David Warner but Pathan added the fast bowler was able to adjust his line after conceding an early boundary.
“He rectified his mistake after the first ball he bowled which went for a four. He tried to consistently bowl at the stumps after that and pulled his length slightly back as well.”
“We need to keep in mind as well that Siraj was playing his first match of a World Cup. A few nerves were visible at the start as well but he is in form, found his length quickly, pulled it back and bowled by hitting the wicket, and finally he got a wicket too.”
Siraj returned with 1-26 in the 6.3 overs he bowled against Australia. India will next take on Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday.
