Jasprit Bumrah not a problem as England Head Coach claims they know how to tackle the Indian pacer

Ahead of the highly anticipated IND vs ENG semifinal clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, England head coach Matthew Mott shared his strategic insights on facing India's premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, at the Providence Cricket Stadium in Guyana.

Mott said that the England cricket team identified the in-form Bumrah as a key threat for the defending champions in the semifinal clash against Team India on Thursday, June 27. The England head coach emphasized the importance of neutralizing Bumrah’s impact on the game with calculated risks, given his ability to disrupt batting line-ups in the tournament.

Matthew Mott reveals England's plans to neutralize Jasprit Bumrah in T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-final

Acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional skills, Mott admitted that there are not too many flaws in the Indian speedster’s game, but like any bowler, he could also have an off day, and he hopes that day will be the semifinal clash, and if that happens, they will look to capitalize and gain momentum against Team India.

Mott hinted at a proactive approach against Bumrah, revealing several England batters are confident in their ability to handle his bowling in the match, but he stressed playing smart cricket against the Yorkshire specialist and making the most of any potential weaknesses he might show in the match.

Matthew Mott was quoted as saying by The Guardian: “He’ll be a big part of our planning, any way we can nullify his influence on the game will go a long way. That’s something we’ve done well, taking our medicine against certain bowlers and then doubling down at the other end. There will be players who think they can take him, and times where we have to box clever. I don’t see too many flaws but hopefully, he has one of those off days that any bowler can have and we can capitalise on that.”

India's aggressive approach presents a unique opportunity for England: Mott

Furthermore, Mott highlighted the aggressive approach Team India has adopted in the powerplay, particularly the skipper, Rohit Sharma. He noted Rohit's confident yet aggressive batting style sets the tone for the Men in Blue but also offers an opportunity for England's bowlers.

Mott emphasized the importance of taking early wickets to disrupt India's momentum in the semi-final clash in Guyana. Reflecting on England's journey through the tournament, the head coach hailed their ability to play from behind and overcome challenges. However, Mott wants his team to take control early in the semifinal clash against India.

He signed off by saying, “They definitely come out a lot harder in the powerplay with the bat. The way Rohit has led from the front is quite obvious for everyone to see. But that also presents a unique opportunity for our bowling attack to take early wickets. We’ve had to play most of this tournament from behind and with adversity. We’d love to throw that first punch, get in front and really hammer that home.”

Notably, India is still unbeaten in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, winning all six of their seven matches, with a group match washed out against Canada. On the other hand, England bounced back after early setbacks in both the group stages and the Super-8 stages of the tournament.