Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has called for a tactical rethink ahead of India’s must-win Super 8 clash against the West Indies, suggesting that Jasprit Bumrah should be handed the new ball in Kolkata.
India heads into what is effectively a knockout matchand with West Indies boasting powerful dangerous batsmen, Karthik believes Bumrah’s early impact could prove decisive.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Karthik emphasized that using Bumrah up front can allow India to attack early and prevent the Caribbean team from adopting their usual aggressive pace.
“I feel Bumrah should be given the new ball. If we talk about the match against Zimbabwe, India won with a big margin, but that margin could have been bigger if Bumrah had been given the new ball.
He can bring the ball in and put it away as well. But that night, it came around the fifth and sixth overs and was less effective. “They are difficult overs because you don’t get much swing.”
HOW BUMRAH HAS BEEN USED SO FAR
Against Zimbabwe, Bumrah posted a good spell of 0 for 21 in three overs. However, he was not trusted with the new ball as Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya opened the attack.
Bumrah was introduced only in the fifth over, which limited his opportunity to exploit the early movement. He ended up bowling just one in the powerplay, reducing the threat he normally poses with the new ball.
The contrast was clear in the previous match against South Africa. In Ahmedabad, Bumrah bowled the second and fourth overs, picked up two wickets in the powerplay and conceded just seven runs during that phase. He eventually finished with 3 for 15 in a game where most of the Indian bowlers struggled.
WHY THE NEW BALL BUMRAH MAY PROBLEMS THE WEST INDIANS
The West Indies may have faltered recently against South Africa, but their batting line-up still has plenty of firepower.
Players like Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd are capable of changing games quickly if given time to settle.
Karthik’s suggestion revolves around denying them that time. Bumrah’s ability to move the new ball both ways makes him India’s best option for attacking early, especially in high-pressure games where control within the powerplay can shape the entire contest.
With the semi-final spot on the line, handing Bumrah the new ball could be the tactical move India need to tip the balance early.
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