Arshdeep praises Bumrah for bowling ‘like a video game’

After India’s crucial win over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh and spinner Kuldeep Yadav shared insights into the team’s strategies that led to their success. Arshdeep praised pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for his exceptional bowling, likening it to a “video game.”

Rohit Sharma’s explosive 92, combined with impactful spells from Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, as well as Axar Patel’s stunning one-handed catch, secured a 24-run win for India. This win secured a spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup.

In a video on the Indian cricket team’s official Instagram page, Arshdeep discussed the challenges Kuldeep faced while bowling with and against the wind.

Kuldeep explained: “It was difficult because my ball naturally comes in for the right-handed batsman. The one on the right tried to target the left. I just read the batsman and what he expected. I started with a fuller ball, a flipper, because if he sweeps there is a chance for us to get a wicket.

He continued, “Then I bowled the wrong one, confusing the batsman. In the second over, Axar’s catch was very good and opened the game for us.”

Arshdeep, who has taken 15 wickets in the tournament so far, spoke about his efficiency with the new ball and credited Bumrah’s performance for making his job easier. “For me, it’s not that difficult because Jassi bowls like a video game, with an economy rate of just two or three runs. The pressure he exerts forces batters to play risky shots against me, which results in wickets.

He added: “Jassi deserves a lot of credit. The other bowlers form a great partnership, stopping runs from one side and getting wickets from the other. As a bowling unit, everyone clicks really well.”

Rohit’s innings helped India score 205/5, and despite Travis Head’s counter-attacking 76 off 43 balls, India restricted Australia to 181/7 in 20 overs. Australia’s defeat, along with Bangladesh’s loss to Afghanistan, led to their elimination from the tournament, with only one win and two losses in the Super Eights, including a loss to Afghanistan.

India will take on England in the semi-finals in Guyana on Thursday.