Jasprit Bumrah supports out-of-form Umesh Yadav after poor performance in the first T20I
The first T20I between India and Australia lived up to the expectations. It was a thriller and Australia won the game on the final ball. The Men in Blue batted first after losing the toss. But they did not get the start that they wanted as they lost Rohit Sharma early.
Kohli and Rahul had a decent partnership. Once Kohli got out, there was no looking back for Australia as India's wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
MS Dhoni tried hard to make do with the tail but could not turn the game in India's favor. The home team posted 126/7 in 20 overs. Australia lost two quick wickets in the small chase. Maxwell and D'Arcy Short then ensured that they closed in on the target, but India got a second opportunity once Maxwell got out, as the home team kept taking wickets and restricted Australia from hitting boundaries.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a brilliant over as he took two consecutive wickets in the 19th over. The game was nicely set up for a splendid Indian comeback.
Umesh Yadav came to bowl the the last over and he had to defend 14 runs in the last six balls. But the experienced pace bowler conceded two boundaries in the last over, and the visitors took two runs off the final ball to snatch the victory from India's hands.
Yadav was heavily criticized by fans on social media after that last over. But Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled an excellent 19th over, defended his team mate Umesh Yadav, stating that it happens in the game of cricket, especially when one tries to execute certain ideas in the death overs.
Here is what he said as quoted in Times Now:
"You try your best, and you're clear in your execution. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. Nothing to be worried. We wanted to close the game in our favor but it's okay."
He also felt India were 15 to 20 runs short. Otherwise, it would have been the home side's game.
"We almost pulled off this game. But on this wicket, around 140-145 would have been a very good score. There was low bounce and it was difficult to hit big shots. It's always difficult to chase on these kind of wickets," Bumrah further added.
The second T20I between them will played at Chennai on Wednesday. India will have their task cut out as they seek redemption in the three-match series.