 "India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup: Tried to hit the seam as much as I could, says Jasprit Bumrah after match-winning figures of 3/14")
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was pleased with his performance during Team India’s six-run win over rivals Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage match in New York on Sunday. With Pakistan needing just 120 runs to win from 20 overs, Bumrah stepped up for the Men in Blue and finished with figures of 3/14 from four overs to propel them to a famous victory. This came after India had succumbed to a total of 119 once they were asked to bat first.
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“It feels really good. We felt we were a little under and the wicket got a little better after the sun came out. We were really disciplined so it feels good. Tried to hit the seam as much as I could, tried to be as clear as I could with my execution and it all came out well so I felt happy,” Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match, said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
The Gujarat cricketer struck once in the powerplay to remove Babar Azam in the fifth over, before cleaning up Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed in the 15th and 19th overs.
As it happened | India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2024, Group A match in New York
The 30 year-old appreciated the crowd’s support and said that it almost felt that they were playing a match back in India. “Felt like we were playing in India, really happy with the support and that gives us energy on the field. We focus on the now. We’ve played two games and played really well. You stick to your processes and look to play well,” added the right-arm fast bowler.
“Little contribution from everyone can make a huge difference”
While India captain Rohit Sharma admitted that his team did not bat well enough, he was still all praise for the small contributions that everyone made within in the team. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 42 runs and Axar Patel accumulated 20 runs, but it was India’s bowling in particular that caught the eye. Apart from Bumrah, Hardik Pandya (2/24), Axar (1/11) and Arshdeep Singh (1/31) were also among the wicket-takers.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“We didn’t bat well enough. Halfway through our innings we were in good position. We didn’t put enough partnership there and fell short with the bat. We spoke about every run matters on a pitch like that. There was enough in the pitch.
“Was a good wicket to be honest, compared to the last game. With a bowling lineup like that you feel confident to do the job. Halfway through the stage when they were batting, we got everyone together and said that if it can happen to us, it can happen to them,” said Rohit.
“Little contribution from everyone can make huge difference. He’s going from strength to strength,” he added.
Rohit called Bumrah a “genius”. “We all know what he can do. Not going to talk too much about him. Want him to be in that mindset throughout the WC. He’s a genius, we all know that,” commented the 37 year-old.
“Had too many dot balls”
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam conceded the team’s below-par batting, saying that the Men in Green consumed several dot balls. From 57/2 in the 11th over, Pakistan collapsed to 113/7, with Rizwan top-scoring with 31 runs.
“We bowled well. In the batting, lost back to back wickets and had too much dot balls. Tactics was simple to play normally. Just strike rotation and the odd boundary. But in that period we had too many dot balls. Can’t expect much from tailenders. Our mind was to utilise first six overs in batting. But one wicket down, and again we weren’t up to the mark in first six,” the 29 year-old lamented.
Babar spoke on a “decent” New York pitch. “Pitch looked decent. Ball was coming on nicely. It was a little bit slow, and some balls extra bounce. Have to win last two matches. Will sit and discuss our mistakes but looking forward to last two matches,” stated Babar.
India will next face co-hosts USA in their next game on 12 June in New York, whereas Pakistan take on Canada a day earlier at the same venue.
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