"Doesn't Have Many Wickets...": Ex-Cricketer Points Out India's Jasprit Bumrah Dependence Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has criticized the team’s overreliance on Jasprit Bumrah during the T20 World Cup semifinal against England, warning that the bowler’s performance will be critical to India’s success. Pathan highlighted concerns about the lack of consistent contributions from other bowlers, emphasizing that the team cannot afford a poor showing from Bumrah. Star spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 12 scalps in seven matches at an economy rate of 7.66. However, Pathan noted that Chakravarthy has faced challenges as batters have adapted to his bowling by moving deep inside their crease, making it difficult for him to maintain his effectiveness. “Batters are standing deeper in the crease against Varun to play the cut and pull,” Pathan said. “When he tries to bowl full, they use their feet against him and hit straight.” Pathan urged Chakravarthy to focus on his natural length, arguing that forcing him to bowl short could undermine his performance. “Don’t ask him to bowl short,” he advised. “Let him bowl at his natural length. The key is to hit the top of the stumps from the first ball.” Axar Patel, another key bowler, has been praised for his economy but has struggled to take wickets. Pathan acknowledged Patel’s role in containing runs but pointed out the lack of impact in terms of dismissals. “Axar does his job but doesn’t have many wickets,” he said. The former cricketer also raised concerns about the team’s bowling strategy, noting that Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh have been targeted in the death overs. “If Bumrah has an off-day, India’s bowling will be under pressure,” Pathan warned.#t20_world_cup #jasprit_bumrah #varun_chakravarthy #axar_patel #irfan_pathan
Exclusive: Irfan Pathan predicts T20 World Cup final winner; calls Bumrah 'inhuman' India and New Zealand are set to face each other in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The match, scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, will be watched by over 130,000 fans, making it the largest crowd for a cricket final in history. Ahead of the clash, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his insights on the pressure of the World Cup final, Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, Jasprit Bumrah’s impact, and New Zealand’s potential threat. Pathan emphasized the immense pressure of playing in a World Cup final, noting that the stakes are higher than in regular matches. “There is a lot of pressure. It’s so much pressure,” he said. “Winning the World Cup final is a big thing, a huge thing. There are so many things that can go wrong, and that is why not many teams have won the World Cup back-to-back.” He highlighted the unique challenges of T20 cricket, where even strong teams can be closely contested. “This format allows the other team to come very close to a strong side. That generally happens.” Pathan praised Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, calling it “outstanding” and underappreciated. “His record as a captain has been wonderful,” he said. “He has close to a 90 percent win rate when he has captained the side. That is not easy in T20 cricket.” He noted Yadav’s ability to remain calm under pressure and his efforts to engage players off the field, including involving those not in the playing XI. “He keeps the team active on social media and ensures everyone feels part of the squad,” Pathan added. Despite India’s strength, Pathan warned that New Zealand poses a significant threat.#new_zealand #jasprit_bumrah #sur_yakumar_yadav #narendra_modi_stadium #irfan_pathan
