'A great opportunity for the best bowler to...': Morne Morkel defends Jasprit Bumrah's use in powerplay

India bowling coach Morne Morkel feels that even though Jasprit Bumrah is known to be effective in death overs, he can help the side in getting key wickets in the powerplay. Though the 31-year-old is known to bowl just once or twice in the powerplay as he usually ends his spell in the last few overs of the innings, he has found himself bowling quite a bit in the first six overs in Asia Cup. This strategy hasn't really worked out well for the speedster and he has only clinched five wickets in four games in the tournament so far.

However, Morkel stated that the team management believes that the powerplay is a great opportunity for Bumrah to provide crucial breakthroughs for India and apply pressure on the opposition.

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"Look, it's obviously a tough job to bowl in the powerplay, but Jasprit is one of the best bowlers. And, with the new ball, obviously, we're looking to take a wicket. I think if you can get 10 down, or 6-7 down before the last ball, you make life a lot easier for you and on the surface, the wicket is playing a certain way. Sort of the plan, and it's no secret that with spin after the powerplay. So what a great opportunity for the best bowler to strike for us up front," Morkel said after India's victory over Sri Lanka.

"We know the number one rule or the golden rule in T20 cricket is to take wickets and if we can do that by using one of our best bowlers and for us to strike upfront. That might change according to what we feel will be best in the day. But yeah, we just felt that it's a nice opportunity to give him that role to try and strike for us up front," he added.

India's stunning victory over Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, India recorded a nail-biting victory over Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 clash. Though the Men in Blue posted the highest total of the tournament at 202/5, Sri Lanka managed to level the scores mainly thanks to a splendid century from Pathum Nissanka. The match would end in a tie and would be decided in the Super Over. Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets while giving away as amany runs in the over as India won the thrilling match in style.

India set to take on Pakistan in final

Suryakumar Yadav & Co. will now be facing-off against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of Asia Cup on September 28. This will be the third time that the two teams will be meeting in the ongoing tournament. Though India ended up winning the first two encounters, it remains to be seen if they will be able to emerge victorious on the third occasion or not.