Not Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma!! Jos Buttler told to rip apart this Indian player's ego citing Travis Head

India and the defending champions England are set to face off in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Providence Cricket Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.

With the cricket world buzzing with excitement for this much-awaited match, former England cricketer Paul Collingwood heaped praise on India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, labeling him the best cricketer in the world.

The second semifinal of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 between India and England is a rematch of the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, where England emerged victorious by 10 wickets in Adelaide, kicking the Men in Blue out of the tournament, and they went on to win the coveted title.

Jasprit Bumrah is the best cricketer in the world at this moment: Paul Collingwood

It was a turning point for Team India, prompting a strategic overhaul in their approach to T20I cricket. Since then, the Indian cricket team has shifted from relying on established superstars to adopting a more aggressive playing style, which has been successful so far in the format.

India is still an unbeaten side in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, and they would really love to take revenge for their 2022 semifinal loss to England to set the date with South Africa in the summit clash on Sunday, June 29, at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Collingwood, reflecting on the upcoming semifinal between India and England, warned the defending champions of the formidable challenge posed by Bumrah, who is in extremely great form with the ball in the tournament.

The former coach suggested that England's best chance to gain an upper hand would be to attack Bumrah early in the innings before he turns the game in India’s favor in the semifinal clash in Guyana.

Paul Collingwood said on Star Sports: “I think if you had a piece of paper and had to pick a cricket team, in any form of the game, Jasprit Bumrah would be the first name going on that list right at the top. It is as simple as that. He is the best cricketer in the world at the moment. The skill level, the pace, and the deception that he has in T20 cricket are incredible.”

Attacking Jasprit Bumrah could dishearten India: Paul Collingwood

However, Collingwood highlighted that England is currently playing an aggressive brand of cricket, and if they can successfully attack Bumrah from the start, it could significantly impact the game. He also advised the England batters against adopting a conservative strategy against the Indian star.

Collingwood signed off by saying, “You saw Travis Head get after Bumrah a couple of times, in the Australia match. And the impact it has if the opposition takes down your spearhead could dishearten the Indian cricket team. So that is an approach that England may take, but it is a risky one because we know how skillful and how many wickets Bumrah can take.”

Notably, Bumrah has been in exceptional form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, taking 11 wickets in six matches with an impressive average of 8.54 and an economy rate of just over 4. His standout performance came against Afghanistan in the Super-8 clash, where he recorded his best figures of 3/7.