We were trying to make it as difficult as possible – Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian bowlers came together for a phenomenal showdown against Pakistan in the World Cup 2023 clash as they kept chipping away at the wickets, forcing the Men in Green to collapse into a rubble of decadence. From 155/2, they were skittled out for 191 as the Indian bowlers reigned supreme.

More importantly, it just wasn’t one bowler who pulled the strings but the entire unit came together to lay waste to Pakistan’s batting unit. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowling lot as he dished out an excellent spell where he conceded just 19 runs from seven overs, delivering a maiden and also clinching a couple of wickets that had the stamp of a premium fast bowler’s gilt-edged class imprinted all over it.

Bumrah got the all-important wicket of Mohammad Rizwan, who was threatening to take the game away from India with an absolute ripper. Bumrah landed the off-cutter just outside the off-stump and got the ball to nip back in and sneak through the guards of the Pakistani wicket-keeper.

Shadab Khan was at wit’s end a few balls later as Bumrah used the reverse swing on offer to shape the ball away just enough, beating the batter’s blade and clipping the top of off stump. 

Named as the Player of the Match for this incredible spell, Bumrah opened up about the minute details that made him almost unplayable on one of the most important days of the tournament.

Talking about the entire bowling spell at the post-match award ceremony, Bumrah said, “It felt good. Usually you try to analyse the wicket as soon as possible. We realised the wicket is on the slower side so we wanted to bowl hard lengths. We were trying to make it as difficult as possible.”

He also shed some light on how he decodes the surfaces, stating, “Just being aware I guess. I used to ask a lot of questions when I was young and that helps me now. Now I'm experienced. In my younger days they (seniors) were used to being troubled by me sometimes (with questions), but it helps to read the wicket and try different options.”

Bumrah then shifted his focus to the two wickets that he claimed, initially talking about the scalp of Rizwan, adding, “We were bowling in the middle overs and I saw Jaddu's ball was turning, not too much but a little bit. I count my slower ball as a spinner's slower ball, one of those days where it came off.”

The Player of the Match, Bumrah concluded by talking about the scalp of Shadab, stating, “Little phase where there was reverse swing, one of the occasions when the white ball was reverse swinging.”