"No one can get the better of him" - Aakash Chopra lauds Jasprit Bumrah's spell in IND vs AFG 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has noted that Jasprit Bumrah never allows the batters to have their way against him. The right-arm seamer registered figures of 3/7 in four overs in India's 47-run win in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against Afghanistan.
India set Afghanistan an 182-run target after opting to bat first in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday, June 20. Bumrah's spell helped the Men in Blue bundle Rashid Khan and company out for 134 to register a convincing win.
Reflecting on India's bowling in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra lauded Bumrah for rocking Afghanistan by dismissing both their openers.
"India reached 181/8 and after that, it was India's glory because Jasprit Bumrah was there. No one can get the better of him. Both openers were dismissed. First Rahmanullah Gurbaz was cleaned up and then Hazratullah Zazai. He got one caught behind and the other with a slower one," he said (5;15).
While observing that Axar Patel got rid of Ibrahim Zadran, the former India opener pointed out that none of the Afghanistan batters put up much resistance.
"Axar Patel dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, who was trying to bat a little. Everyone had wickets in their accounts. Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi stayed in the middle for a little while but no one batted so well that it would cause anyone trouble," Chopra stated.
Azmatullah Omarzai top-scored for Afghanistan with a 20-ball 26. Najibullah Zadran (19) and Gulbadin Naib (17) were the only other players to score more than 15 runs.
"He is a different-level guy" - Aakash Chopra on Jasprit Bumrah
While praising Jasprit Bumrah for being both potent and economical, Aakash Chopra noted that Arshdeep Singh (3/36) was also penetrative despite being slightly expensive.
"Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets. Boom Boom was absolutely outstanding. He conceded only seven runs in four overs while taking those three wickets. He is a different-level guy. Arshdeep Singh once again got hit a little, he gave away 36 runs in four overs, but he also picked up three wickets," he elaborated in the same video (5:50).
The reputed commentator also appreciated Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja for playing their roles in ensuring a comprehensive win for India.
"He caught the tail. Someone catches the top and someone catches the tail. Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets in the middle, one Axar and one Ravindra Jadeja. It was overall a convincing win for India. These are not just points, this 47-run win has helped the net run rate," Chopra said.
Kuldeep registered figures of 2/32 in four overs in his first game of the tournament. Axar and Jadeja accounted for a dismissal apiece, with Hardik Pandya being the only bowler to go wicketless.