Cricket

Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has taken it upon himself to address his team's batting woes. With MI struggling to make the IPL playoffs due to inconsistent batting performances, Bumrah has been practicing his batting skills in the nets.In a video shared by MI's official social media handle, Bumrah is seen hitting some big shots during a net practice session ahead of their clash with Delhi Capitals on Saturday. The video highlights Bumrah's determination to contribute to the team's performance beyond his role as a bowler.Bumrah's batting practice comes as MI faces a crucial match against DC, who are currently sixth in the points table with eight points. MI, on the other hand, is eighth with six points. In their previous match, MI suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals.Despite MI's batting struggles, Bumrah has been in impressive form with the ball this season. He has claimed 13 wickets at an average of 15.69 and an economy rate of 6.37. His best bowling figures stand at 5/21, and he currently holds the 'Purple Cap' for being the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.Bumrah's batting practice is a testament to his commitment to the team and his willingness to go the extra mile to help MI succeed. It remains to be seen whether Bumrah's batting skills will translate into runs on the field, but his efforts have certainly boosted the team's morale.

In the high-scoring era of T20 cricket, where teams routinely surpass 200 runs, the art of bowling has become increasingly challenging. However, legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn believes that this is precisely the time when bowlers can achieve greatness.Steyn's comments came after witnessing another explosive batting display in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders posted scores well above 200. "I could make a joke and say I'm glad I'm retired and no longer bowling, but... It's always a good time to be a bowler, if you can make yourself the best, you'll be a wanted god among mere mortals," Steyn tweeted.The former Proteas star emphasized that in an era where batters are dominating, a skilled bowler would be revered as a deity. "The slayer of rampaging runs! Insensitives have never been higher. I'd want to be a bowler more than anything!" he added.Steyn's sentiments were echoed by fans, with one suggesting that the key to success in modern-day bowling is to emulate Jasprit Bumrah. Steyn agreed, acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional ability to control the flow of runs despite the batter-friendly conditions."Well, exactly that," Steyn replied to the fan.Bumrah, the current purple cap holder in the IPL, has been a standout performer, claiming 13 wickets in 7 matches at an impressive average of 12.84 and an economy rate of 5.96. His ability to restrict runs and take wickets has made him a valuable asset for his team, Mumbai Indians.Steyn's comments highlight the importance of adaptability and skill in the face of the ever-evolving nature of T20 cricket. While the odds may seem stacked against bowlers, those who can master their craft and rise above the challenges will be the ones who truly shine.

India's Pace Bowling Conundrum Ahead of T20 World CupAs India's selectors prepare to assemble the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, a glaring concern has emerged: the lack of reliable pace bowling options beyond Jasprit Bumrah. While the veteran pacer continues to excel, the rest of the bowling unit has struggled to make an impact.Mohammed Siraj, once considered a potential new-ball partner for Bumrah, has endured a disappointing IPL season, claiming only five wickets in seven matches. Mukesh Kumar has shown promise for the Delhi Capitals, but his high economy rate raises questions about his consistency. Arshdeep Singh, usually a dependable left-arm seamer, has also struggled with his economy rate. Avesh Khan has been slightly more effective, but his economy rate remains a concern.The poor form of these regular pacers has prompted calls for the selectors to consider alternative options. Left-arm pacer T Natarajan, who has impressed with his yorkers, and Sandeep Sharma, who has been in good form for the Rajasthan Royals, are among the potential candidates.Selectors may also be tempted to experiment with rookies like Mohsin Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Yash Thakur, or Harshit Rana. However, these players lack international experience and may not be ready for the rigors of a major tournament.The lack of pace bowling depth is a significant concern for India, especially considering the importance of fast bowlers in T20 cricket. The selectors will need to make bold decisions and find reliable options to support Bumrah if India is to have a successful World Cup campaign.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has reached its halfway point, and a clear divide has emerged between the top-performing teams and the struggling ones. Rajasthan Royals, SunRisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders have established themselves as the frontrunners, while Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru find themselves at the bottom of the standings.With the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the IPL holds immense significance as it serves as a platform for players to showcase their form and earn a spot in the Indian squad. However, former Australian batter Aaron Finch has expressed concerns about the poor form of three key Indian players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah.Finch, who led Australia to the T20 World Cup title in 2021, believes that Jaiswal and Pandya have been underperforming throughout the IPL so far. "There is a bit of pressure building on both of them," Finch said. "They will want to be in great form to get picked and then contribute to India having a real crack at trying to win another T20 World Cup."Jaiswal, who scored a century against Mumbai Indians on Monday, has averaged 32.14 in eight games. Pandya, on the other hand, has struggled with both bat and ball, averaging 25.25 with the bat and taking only four wickets in seven matches.Finch also raised concerns about India's pace bowling, particularly the form of Jasprit Bumrah. "I think spin could get them out of trouble," Finch said. "I think the form of Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial. Arshdeep Singh is a quality bowler, but he is not in his best form at the moment."Despite these concerns, Finch believes that India has enough time to address these issues before the T20 World Cup. "We have seven weeks from the tournament," Finch said. "That's potentially 10 more games for the guys to find form."

Mumbai Indians, after a dismal start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, have shown signs of resurgence with three wins in their last four matches. They will now face table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in a crucial reverse fixture on April 22 in Jaipur, seeking revenge for their earlier defeat.The five-time champions have been bolstered by the return to form of Suryakumar Yadav, whose 53-ball 78 against Punjab Kings was the cornerstone of their innings. Rohit Sharma's scintillating century, albeit in a losing cause, has also been a highlight for MI. However, the team's bowling woes remain a concern.Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer with the ball, taking 13 wickets and boasting the second-best economy rate in the tournament. However, his bowling colleagues have struggled, with Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal, and skipper Hardik Pandya being inconsistent.Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have been in rampaging form, occupying the top spot with 12 points. Their bowling unit, led by Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been particularly impressive. Boult has removed three of MI's top-order batters for naught in their previous encounter, while Chahal has been RR's most valuable player in the bowling department with 12 wickets.The Royals' batting has revolved around Riyan Parag, who has reinvented himself as a destructive force with 318 runs so far. Skipper Sanju Samson has also produced some fine knocks, while Jos Buttler has single-handedly chased down a 200-plus total to win RR's last match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Jasprit Bumrah's Versatility Shines as He Turns Leg-Spinner in Net SessionJasprit Bumrah, the Purple Cap holder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has showcased his exceptional bowling prowess with 13 wickets in just 7 matches. However, in a recent net session, Bumrah surprised everyone by donning the role of a leg-spinner and challenging one of T20 cricket's most feared hitters, Kieron Pollard.Despite the change in bowling style, Bumrah's skill and accuracy remained evident as he deceived Pollard with a well-executed leg-spin delivery. The video of this light-hearted battle, shared by Mumbai Indians on social media, has garnered much attention.Bumrah's versatility is a testament to his exceptional talent and adaptability. While he has primarily made his mark as a fast bowler, his ability to bowl spin effectively demonstrates his all-around capabilities.In the current IPL season, Bumrah has been a key contributor to Mumbai Indians' success. With an economy rate of under 6 runs per over, he has been the most economical bowler in the tournament. His ability to control the run rate and pick up crucial wickets has played a significant role in MI's three victories so far.As Mumbai Indians prepare for their upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals, Bumrah's versatility and match-winning abilities will be crucial. His ability to adapt to different situations and contribute in multiple ways makes him an invaluable asset to the team.

Jasprit Bumrah: The 'Professor' of Fast Bowling, Impresses with Exceptional PerformanceFormer West Indies pacer Ian Bishop has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as a "professor" of fast bowling, praising his exceptional knowledge, articulation, and ability to swing the ball in both directions. Bishop believes Bumrah's skills make him an ideal mentor for aspiring seam bowlers.In a recent match against Punjab Kings, Bumrah showcased his mastery with a four-over spell of 3 for 21, dismissing Sam Curran, Rilee Rossouw, and Shashank Singh. His performance, along with Gerald Coetzee's 3/32, helped Mumbai Indians restrict Punjab Kings to 183 in their run-chase, despite a valiant fightback from Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank.Bumrah's outstanding performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award and propelled him to the top of the Purple Cap table, with 13 wickets from seven matches in this IPL season.Bishop, impressed by Bumrah's knowledge and communication skills, suggested that he should hold bowling lectures for young aspiring seam bowlers across the country. He believes that Bumrah's insights and expertise would be invaluable for the development of future fast bowlers.Bumrah's ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his accuracy and control, makes him a formidable opponent. He has consistently been one of the most effective bowlers in the IPL, and his performance against Punjab Kings is a testament to his exceptional skills.As the IPL season progresses, Bumrah will be a key player for Mumbai Indians, who will be looking to defend their title. His ability to take wickets and control the run rate will be crucial to their success.

Tom Moody, a former Australian all-rounder, has criticized the Mumbai Indians (MI) for underutilizing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during their IPL match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Moody believes that this allowed PBKS to rally from a precarious position and come within striking distance of MI's total.In the match, Bumrah was matchless, taking off the dangerous Shashank Singh, Rilee Rossouw, and opener Sam Curran to help MI win by nine runs. MI had given PBKS a 193 target.However, Moody pointed out that Bumrah was removed from the attack just as PBKS appeared to be losing ground, which allowed the home team to rally."Again, Mumbai leaning on him so much to turn their fortunes around. He bowled two overs early on and had the Punjab Kings on their back. But, interestingly enough, he didn't bowl another over until the 13th," said Moody on Star Sports Cricket Live."He's at the peak of his powers at the moment. And that's my point of where I think the Mumbai Indians let the Punjab Kings back into this contest. (Gerald) Coetzee and Bumrah for mine, and I'll be interested to hear what the other fast bowlers think on this show. Should (Bumrah) have bowled again to be able to put Punjab completely out onto the campus," he added.Former South African fast Dale Steyn agreed with Moody, saying that MI's front-line pacers Bumrah and Coetzee needed assistance from other bowlers. He suggested that MI's bowling department was suffering from an unmotivated Hardik Pandya."We want to see them (MI) close out games early by bringing Bumrah back or Coetzee. But then they have to depend on guys like Hardik to finish off, who hasn't been bowling as well of late and some of the other bowlers travelling like (Romario) Shepherd, they may struggle in the back end.""Mumbai are in a situation now where they have to tactically figure things out, but they also need somebody to step up, their bowlers to step up and really help out Bumrah and Coetzee, because if they (MI) keep going the way they are, they might lose more points again."Moody also commented on Suryakumar Yadav, who recently recovered from an ankle injury and a hernia operation. He said that Yadav needed to participate for the whole league season in order to fully recover.On Thursday, "Mr 360 degrees" amassed a 53-ball 78 to lead MI to 192. Moody said that the middle-order hitter needed to return to optimal health in order to help India's chances of winning the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies."It's important that he slowly works back into full fitness, he needs to be playing for the whole 40 overs and that would be great. Not that he bowls or anything but for his own peace of mind and fitness for that the preparation for what is beyond the IPL. It was a great innings today (from him).Steyn praised PBSK batter Ashutosh Sharma for the sweep shot he employed against Bumrah, something which has not been used against the India quick too often."I mean, IPL never ceases to disappoint us with close games and creating new heroes... Bumrah bowls a no-ball, and the next thing Ashutosh goes down and plays that sweep that goes for six."

Mumbai Indians' disappointing IPL 2024 campaign has drawn criticism from former Australian skipper Aaron Finch. The five-time champions have struggled to find consistency, losing three of their first five matches.Finch believes that captain Hardik Pandya needs to improve his form with both bat and ball. "First and foremost, I think the captain needs to find some form and consistency with bat and ball," Finch said. "We've seen him bowl in some games and not in others, so ideally, some form with both bat and ball. I think that will go a long way."Finch also pointed out the lack of depth in Mumbai's bowling attack outside of Jasprit Bumrah. "Their bowling outside of Jasprit Bumrah has lacked depth of quality and consistency," Finch said.Despite their struggles, Mumbai Indians managed to secure a narrow nine-run victory over Punjab Kings in their most recent match. Suryakumar Yadav's brilliant knock of 68 runs off 36 balls set the platform for the win, while Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee took three wickets each.After the match, Pandya acknowledged the team's character and resilience. "Very good game of cricket. Everyone's nerve got tested," Pandya said. "We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game. Naturally you think you're ahead in the game. But we knew IPL has a tendency to produce these games."Despite the win, Mumbai Indians remain in a precarious position in the IPL standings. They will need to find a way to improve their consistency and depth if they want to challenge for a playoff spot.