Tim Southee and Ricky Ponting Praise Jasprit Bumrah’s Performance in T20 World Cup 2024

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 21: New Zealand captain Tim Southee has praised Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for his outstanding performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his crucial spells, taking 15 wickets in eight matches with an average of 11.86 and an economy rate of 4.17. His best bowling figures were 3/7.

Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards, Southee commended Bumrah for his remarkable comeback from injury. He noted that Bumrah has improved and successfully juggled multiple formats of the game. Southee said, “I think he’s been incredibly well to be able to firstly bounce back from the major injury he had and come back and he’s even better than what he was beforehand. Having to juggle multiple formats can be difficult at times as well, and he seems to have been able to do that with ease. He’s probably more experienced and understands this game a bit more… I think we just seen a great version of Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats.”

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also praised Bumrah, stating that he maintained his pace and accuracy in the T20 World Cup 2024 despite his injury. Ponting said, “If I watch what he did in the T20 World Cup – the pace is still there, there’s nothing that’s changed with the accuracy or what he can deliver. The skillset is all the same. He’s getting better year on year. So, he would rank right up there.”

India ended their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought with a seven-run win over South Africa in the final at Barbados on June 29. Virat Kohli scored 76 runs, Hardik Pandya took 3/20, and Bumrah took 2/18, helping India reach 176/7 in 20 overs. Bumrah and Pandya’s bowling restricted South Africa to 169/8 in their 20 overs, securing the victory for India.