Putting the ‘Super’ in Super Eights
Across the 12 overs bowled in the Super Eight phase of the tournament, and across three grounds, Bumrah finished with 6/49 in a four day stretch to help India top of the group.
Afghanistan’s batters had no answer against him in the Barbados, with both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai undone by change-of-pace deliveries to fall inside the Powerplay. He returned to remove Najibullah Zadran, conceding just seven in his four overs in another victory.
The India camp then moved to Antigua to face Bangladesh, with Bumrah this time doing his damage at the backend to prevent any late challenge of his side’s 196. More off-pace bowling was the order to remove opposition skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, before he hurried up Rishad Hossain for his second to finish with 2/13.
Runs flowed in India’s final Super Eights match, taking on Australia in St Lucia, and it was Bumrah’s expertise at the death that again pulled his side through.
As the Australians looked to make one final launch for India’s 205/5, the in-form Travis Head was stymied by Bumrah, whose dipping off-cutter in the 17th over forced a miscue to Rohit Sharma to all but seal India’s top-spot finish.
