Eoin Morgan, former England skipper, has highlighted Jasprit Bumrah as the potential X-factor in the upcoming India vs Pakistan encounter in the World Cup 2023, scheduled for Saturday in Ahmedabad.
During this World Cup edition, Bumrah has firmly stamped his authority on the field. With a clear focus on the "process" over merely chasing results, the fast bowler has consistently delivered match-winning performances. His current tally of six wickets, taken at an impressive average of 13.71, ranks him as the second-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup 2023 so far.
One cannot overlook his phenomenal bowling display against Afghanistan, where he scalped four wickets, giving away only 39 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. It was this pivotal performance, deemed as his best in World Cup matches, that played a significant role in restricting Afghanistan to 272 for 8, subsequently setting the stage for India's commanding eight-wicket triumph.
Further statistics solidify Bumrah's dominance, especially his exceptional economy rate of 3.7, which tops the charts among the pacers in the tournament.
In an interaction with Sky Sports, Morgan weighed in on the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash. He observed a palpable edge in India's bowling arsenal, particularly pointing out their current form. Morgan was all praises for Bumrah, lauding his innate ability to not just build pressure on batsmen, but also to make breakthroughs at crucial game junctures.
Summing up his analysis, Morgan opined that when it comes to a balanced bowling unit, India seems to be a step ahead of Pakistan in the current tournament.
"I probably lean towards India's bowling line up as being more stronger and in form, bringing Jasprit Bumrah back in such a timely manner. It's about four or five months ago, back when they played in Dublin, he came and sort of eased his way back in with one eye on building towards a World Cup," said Morgan.
"He is just a game changer, four wickets against Afghanistan, building pressure, taking wickets at various different stages. I think he's probably the game changer in both sides and that's nothing against Pakistan's bowling line up. I just think the balance of India's lineup with Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shardul Thakur coming back in, Hardik Pandya can bowl and bowl well at the moment is key for India," he added.
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