India's performance in the ongoin T20 World Cup 2024 has been impressive so far. They dominated Ireland in their campaign opener and secured a thrilling victory against Pakistan in the following clash. With their strong showing, they seem likely to advance to the Super Eight stage.
However, one question lingers in the minds of many fans as to why isn't Jasprit Bumrah opening the bowling? Widely considered India's best fast bowler, Bumrah is being used as the first or second change bowler by captain Rohit Sharma. This strategic move by India skipper has even drawn criticism from legendary cricketer Kapil Dev. Kapil believes that regardless of conditions, Bumrah should always open the bowling to maximise his impact and avoid jeopardising the team's chances.
Kapil Dev on Rohit Sharma's strategic change in T20 World Cup
"The next time I would go and ask the captain this question because to know about their thought process, I'd need to be among them. We can assume from the outside but by whatever amount of cricket I have played or seen, he needs to bowl the first over. He is a wicket-taking bowler. If you make him second or third change or make him bowl the fifth and sixth over, the game can slip out of your hands," Kapil said on ABP News.
This isn't the first time Bumrah hasn't opened the bowling with the new ball. Even in the previous ODI World Cup, Captain Rohit Sharma used a different strategy. Bumrah only opened in specific situations, while more often it was Hardik Pandya or Mohammed Siraj starting the attack. Here in the T20 World Cup, the same approach is being used. Arshdeep Singh and Siraj are opening, with Bumrah coming in as the first change bowler against both Ireland and Pakistan. While Kapil Dev acknowledges Bumrah's effectiveness – he picked up crucial wickets coming in later, like 2/6 against Ireland and a match-winning 3/14 against Pakistan – he still believes Bumrah's greatest impact comes when he opens the bowling. For Kapil, there's nothing more intimidating for a batsman than facing Bumrah's fiery pace right from the start of the innings.
"We didn't think he would be able to play so much cricket. We felt it would be difficult because of his action and the way he runs, the pressure it puts on his body and shoulders. But he has proved all of us wrong and even proven that by this action itself, I can show become the best bowler in the world. Sometimes you have to pay the price, but if it comes through a loss, it's tough," added Kapil.
"So better to have that positive mindset from the very beginning. This is not a Test match. This is T20. The quicker you take wickets, the more pressure it puts on the opposition. So if Bumrah opens the bowling and picks up a couple of wickets upfront in a two-over spell, then the other team will always struggle. And then life becomes earlier for your other bowlers. Sometimes Bumrah will also get hit but the belief should be to plan with a positive mindset," Kapil concluded.
India are gearing up for their next clash where they will lock horns with USA on June 12, Wednesday.
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