NEW DELHI: After India's tense six-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar commended Jasprit Bumrah for his exceptional performance while subtly criticizing the Indian media's focus on Virat Kohli.
Despite India posting their lowest-ever total against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history - 119 - Bumrah's stellar bowling turned the tide in India's favor.
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Bumrah's match-winning spell saw him claim three wickets for just 14 runs, dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup and ensuring India's narrow victory. Manjrekar lauded Bumrah's efforts, pointing out how the pacer has been instrumental for India while the media often focuses on Kohli.
"While Indian media obsesses over Virat & Co, Jasprit Bumrah quietly wins games for India single-handedly. By far the best player in the Indian team & has been for a while now. #JaspritBumrah #ICCT20WC," Manjrekar wrote on X.
Kohli, who has been India's standout batter in previous clashes against Pakistan, had a rare poor performance, scoring only 4 runs. Manjrekar's comments highlighted Bumrah's consistent contributions, especially in high-pressure situations.
In the match, India's batting unit struggled on a challenging two-paced track. However, Bumrah's brilliance with the ball was complemented by Hardik Pandya, who, despite failing with the bat, delivered crucial bowling figures of 2/24, helping India restrict Pakistan to 113 for seven in 20 overs.
Bumrah's penultimate over was particularly decisive, as he conceded just three runs and took the vital wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed, leaving Pakistan needing 18 runs off the final over. Arshdeep Singh then successfully defended the target, sealing the win for India.
1/9:T20 World Cup: Bumrah delivers as India beat Pakistan in low-scoring thriller
AFP
2/9:India beat Pakistan in New York
Jasprit Bumrah was the hero as India beat Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring T20 World Cup thriller in New York on Sunday.AP
3/9:Bumrah's Heroics
India were bowled out by Pakistan for 119 in 19 overs. Defending the small total, Bumrah delivered crucial wickets and his 3-14 in four overs proved decisive as Pakistan fell just short ending on 113-7.ANI
4/9:Crowd Excitement
Despite a tricky batting surface that made batting difficult, a crowd of 34,028, a record attendance for an international cricket match in the USA, were given a tight contest that ebbed and flowed.AFP
5/9:Pakistan's Chase
Naseem Shah made a valiant effort, hitting the fourth and fifth balls of the last over for fours but India avoided any late drama to secure their second win of the tournament.ANI
6/9:Bumrah's Crucial Wickets
Bumrah picked up the vital wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (31). Then, in the penultimate over, Bumrah conceded just three runs and removed Iftikhar Ahmed with his final ball.AP
7/9:Final Over Drama
<b>That left Pakistan needing 18 from the final over, a steep task on a difficult batting surface and it got more tricky when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Imad Wasim with the first ball.</b>AFP
8/9:Pakistan's Tough Loss
For Pakistan, their loss, coming after the shock defeat to the USA, leaves them without a point and with a lot of work to do against Canada and Ireland if they are to fight their way into the Super Eight stage.AP
