Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar criticized Rohit Sharma’s decision not to bowl Jasprit Bumrah in the first over during India’s victory against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Sunil Gavaskar stated that Bumrah should have opened the attack bowling in the long-awaited world game. Cup.

The Men in Blue scored 119 runs in 19 overs after losing the toss at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. Jasprit Bumrah played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan to 113 runs in 20 overs. Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding bowling performance.

Jasprit Bumrah should have bowled the first over – Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking on Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Jasprit Bumrah could have been used more effectively. Gavaskar questioned why Bumrah did not bowl the first ball, stating that the best player should bowl the first ball.

“Bowlers rarely get credit in Indian cricket. So it was good to see how they came back. Again, I thought maybe Bumrah should have bowled the first over, not the third. Why waste 12 deliveries? Give it to him your best bowler,” Gavaskar said.

“Do you ask Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to bat at five or six? They are your best batsmen, so they bat one and two. The best bowler bowls the first ball if he is a fast bowler. However, whatever Whatever, India kept their nerve and won the match and that is the most important thing because I think Pakistan lost their nerve despite being 57/1 at the halfway mark,” he added.

Bumrah came to bowl in the third over and provided a breakthrough for India in their second over. Bumrah dismissed Babar Azam, who scored 13 runs off 10 balls, including two fours. He struck again in his second spell, getting the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan off the first ball. Rizwan scored 31 runs off 44 balls.

Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed on the last ball of his last over. The 30-year-old pacer concluded his spell with three wickets for 14 runs in his four-over quota. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh conceded 11 runs and dismissed all-rounder Imad Wasim in the final over as he defended the target.

Bowlers save batsmen – Sunil Gavaskar

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that India’s bowlers played a pivotal role in rescuing the team after a poor batting performance. Sunil Gavaskar criticized the batting approach, calling it “arrogant” and “reckless”. He claimed that the batsmen played unnecessary shots in the match.

“I think the bowlers saved the batsmen because the way they batted, and I said it mid-way, the batting was a bit arrogant and a bit reckless too. They kept playing shots when there was really no need,” Gavaskar added further.

India scored 81 runs for the loss of three wickets, but managed only 38 runs and lost seven wickets in the next nine overs. Rishabh Pant emerged as India’s top scorer with 42 runs off 31 deliveries, including six boundaries. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh scored seven and nine runs respectively.

Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant twists and turns as he avoids crashing his knee into his helmet.