"Indians are very fortunate..." - Mohammad Kaif in awe of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling genius in T20 World Cup 2024

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif showered rich praise on Jasprit Bumrah after his outstanding performance during Team India’s thrilling 47-run win over Afghanistan in their first Super-8 clash of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Bumrah delivered an exceptional bowling performance, recording incredible figures of 4-1-7-3 to play a key role in restricting Afghanistan to 134 in their quest to chase down the target of 182 runs in Barbados on June 20. After the match, Kaif uploaded a video on his X handle to laud Bumrah.

India's opponents should thank God that Jasprit Bumrah wasn't there in 2022 T20 World Cup: Mohammad Kaif

Kaif highlighted Bumrah's remarkable return to the Indian cricket team after missing the 2022 T20 World Cup due to an injury, where India suffered a heavy defeat to England in the semi-finals.

On the back of Bumrah's stellar performance on the comeback, India won the Asia Cup and played the ODI World Cup 2023 final at home. And now he is absolutely beautiful with the ball in the ongoing mega event.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah has continued his form, showcasing his brilliance on various pitches. He excelled in New York and is now on the slower pitch against Afghanistan, effectively using slower balls and cutters to outsmart the batters in Barbados.

Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on X: “India's opponents should thank God that Bumrah wasn't there in the 2022 T20 World Cup. India had lost to England by 10 wickets, and we were smothered by Jos Buttler and Alex Hales. It was a shameful defeat, but Bumrah wasn't there. He makes a comeback in the Asia Cup after injury; India wins; he plays in the in the ODI World Cup; and India reaches the finals. And here also, he played first in New York, took wickets there, and here also on a slow pitch with no swing, he used the slower ball and the cutter to dismiss the batsmen.”

Meanwhile, Kaif analyzed the dismissals of Afghanistan's openers by Bumrah in their Super-8 clash in Barbados. He recounted that Rahmanullah Gurbaz attempted to hit a delivery but was deceived by Bumrah's slower ball, which spun in the air and dipped, leading to the Afghan opener being caught behind.

Mohammad Kaif hails Jasprit Bumrah’s strategic bowling in Barbados against Afghanistan

Similarly, Hazratullah Zazai tried to play a shot to the leg side but misjudged Bumrah’s slower ball, which stopped after bouncing, resulting in him being caught by the third man. Furthermore, the former Indian batter highlighted Bumrah's adaptability in his three-wicket haul against Pakistan in the Group A match in New York.

Kaif said that Bumrah bowled according to the conditions, using seaming deliveries to dismiss Babar Azam in the slips, clean bowling Mohammad Rizwan, and taking Iftikhar Ahmed's wicket with a yorker in the final over.

In contrast, on the slower pitch in Barbados, Bumrah took wickets by varying his pace. Kaif said that his performance has significantly bolstered India's bowling attack, making him a key asset in their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign for the title.

Kaif signed off by saying, “So Bumrah ke paas aisi kala hai (Bumrah has the art) of bowling according to the conditions. His deliveries hit the deck in seaming conditions. In Barbados, on a slow pitch where there's no help, he took wickets by changing the pace of deliveries. You won't get a bowler like Bumrah; we Indians are very fortunate that we have a bowler like him who is in such good form that he will play a crucial role in India winning the World Cup. Thank you so much, Bumrah.”

Watch Here Mohammad Kaif's special tribute to Jasprit Bumrah:

Every time we think what can Bumrah do more, he puts up another mind-blowing performance. Gem of a cricketer!💎 #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->A<!---->f<!---->g #<!---->T<!---->2<!---->0<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->C<!---->u<!---->p p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->O<!---->X<!---->A<!---->u<!---->Z<!---->7<!---->x<!---->M<!---->m<!---->a

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4