Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary showered praise on Ashwani Kumar after Mumbai Indians registered a comprehensive 99-run win against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday.

Defending 200 runs, Kumar was the pick of the MI bowlers, returning with impressive figures of 4-24 in his quota of four overs. The left-arm pacer accounted for GT skipper Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan and Shahrukh Khan. The 24-year-old was able to reap rewards for bowling a hard length against GT.

Tiwary reckons MI were late in bringing Kumar to the playing XI and he should have got his chance earlier.

Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz, “Trent Boult didn’t click, and it is always better to have a left-handed bowling option. I feel they were very late in bringing him in. What they were searching for in Deepak and Shardul, he did today.”

On the other hand, the former Bengal cricketer urged MI’s captain Hardik Pandya to use Jasprit Bumrah at the start. Bumrah gave a perfect start to MI, dismissing GT opener Sai Sudharsan for a golden duck.

He added, “There is no rocket science in this. If you want to take wickets, you need to give the over to your best bowler. Yes, the coaches and captain make a set plan for every bowler before the match. For Bumrah, it was to bring him after six overs, and then two at the back end, and one in the middle. But when you have the Brahmastra, use that at the start”

Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma also concurred with Manoj Tiwary during the same discussion.

“Many things go against him at times because he is that good. It should not be the case that Bumrah got the first over here because they wanted to run through this top order early. They should move forward with this decision. Don’t use Bumrah only when he is needed; let him counter-attack right from start,” he chimed in.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.