T20 World Cup: Mohammad Kaif Questions Team Strategy, Says Bumrah Wasn’t Utilised Like Under Rohit Sharma
Former cricketer says Jasprit Bumrah should have been used in middle overs to break key partnership
New Delhi: Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has attributed India’s Super 8 defeat to South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup to tactical errors during the middle phase of the innings, particularly the underutilisation of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Sharing his analysis on his YouTube channel, Kaif said the contest slipped away between the seventh and 15th overs, when David Miller and Dewald Brevis built a decisive partnership that shifted momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour.
According to Kaif, Bumrah’s deployment was not in line with the approach previously followed under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. He pointed out that Rohit often reintroduced the premier fast bowler in the middle overs to break crucial stands rather than reserving him largely for the powerplay and death overs.
India used Bumrah for two early overs, during which he dismissed Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, providing early breakthroughs. However, he was brought back only in the 17th over, by which time South Africa had already taken control of the innings at 152 for five, with Tristan Stubbs well set.
Apart from Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, India’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Proteas batters, who capitalised on the middle overs to accelerate.
South Africa ended India’s 12-match unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 76-run victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The margin marked India’s second-largest defeat by runs in T20 Internationals and their heaviest loss in the tournament’s history.
The setback has complicated India’s path to the semi-finals, with the team now needing victories in their remaining Super 8 fixtures along with a healthy net run rate to stay in contention for defending the title.
