Mahendra Singh Dhoni Lauds Jasprit Bumrah Post India's Emphatic Win Over Sri Lanka

Jasprit Bumrah Asia Cup 2502
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was all praise for Jasprit Bumrah, who came into the national reckoning after a successful stint with the Mumbai Indians in IPL.

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Mirpur: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a relieved man after the emergence of young Jasprit Bumrah as a potent “death overs” bowler. The India captain complimented the Gujarat pacer for not only being effective with the new but also with the old ball. (Kohli, Yuvraj Singh Guide India to Asia Cup Final)

Bumrah took two wickets and gave away just 27 runs from his four overs as India outclassed Sri Lanka by five wickets to book their berth in the final of the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament. (Kohli Relishing Batting in Crunch Situations)

“Jasprit is someone I feel who bowls well with the new ball also. Yes, he has given us some relief when it comes to death bowling. But people should realise that he will also go for runs on some days. So far, he’s been very good for us with the new ball as well as at the death,” Dhoni praised the youngster, who came into the national reckoning after a successful stint with the Mumbai Indians in IPL. (Yuvraj’s Knock Against Pakistan Was Turning Point: Gavaskar)

Death bowling is something where you cannot only give away 12 runs in last two overs. At times, you will give away 20-22 runs also. But looking at that kind of a game, you may also feel that ‘okay, 20 was also very good death bowling.”

Dhoni, who had earlier termed Hardik Pandya as a ‘Game Changer’, said that his all-round presence lent the side with the necessary balance going into World Twenty20.

“This format is especially better-suited to somebody (Hardik), who can bat and bowl. All-rounders have two departments to contribute and can make up for failure in one with performance in the other. Also performance in one department helps them carry the confidence into the other,” the skipper said.

“That’s the reason why our team is looking more balanced. Looking at the conditions, you have three fast bowlers and two spinners. Then you include two part-timers (Raina, Yuvraj) if needed. So it looks very good bunch of players, ideally suited for the conditions.”

Yuvraj Singh’s 18-ball-35 is something that has pleased the skipper and no wonder he stands vindicated.

“As far as Yuvi’s batting is concerned, I have already said that the more time he gets out there in the middle, the better it is for him. I felt that his approach has always been very good. He gave himself two or three balls before playing the big shot. And you saw today, he is someone who can hit sixes at will. So if the same thing continues gradually, he will be in a very good position before the World Cup.”

Virat Kohli blasted another half-century to guide India to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka and Dhoni said it is his hunger to succeed that makes him special.

“Right from the start, he (Virat) was always someone who wanted to contribute more. Even if he would get out on 80, he was somebody who wanted to get that 100. If 80 was good enough and the team wins, he was happy with it. But he still wanted to contribute more. He knew the importance of converting those 70’s into hundreds. It’s not only good for the individual but it was also very good for the team,” he said.

“He is always somebody, who wants to put that emphasis on his game. Over the years, he has turned into someone who reads the game very well. Knowing whom to target, when to target, what are his strengths. That is something very important,” Dhoni said.

“All of us have our own strengths. But it is very important to back your strength and not to venture out into areas that are not your strength. He’s looking like a much more matured cricketer. Overall, he’s been just fantastic for the side.”


Source: NDTV

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