T20 World Cup final: Glenn Phillips downplays Jasprit Bumrah threat
What's the story
Ahead of the T20 World Cup final, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has downplayed India's bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah as a potential threat. The two teams will face off in Ahmedabad on Sunday after India defeated England in a thrilling semi-final. Phillips acknowledged Bumrah's skill but emphasized that strategies against any bowler can vary. Here's more.
Words
'He is allowed to have a bad day'
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Phillips said, "He's human as well. He is allowed to have a bad day, as are the rest of us. So, hopefully we have a good day against him." Bumrah was part of the bilateral T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year. However, he managed just 4 scalps and conceded at over nine runs an over. "Obviously, we had a really good trip against him in the bilateral series as well, but he's a class bowler." "He's got so many variations. He hits the block hole at the death incredibly well."
Focus
Phillips on how NZ plan to play Bumrah
Phillips also stressed that if Bumrah misses his mark, New Zealand will take advantage of it and downplayed the possible ploy of playing out the bowler's four overs and targeting the others. "It's not necessarily going to be that, per se," he said. "As I said, a bowler is allowed to miss, and if he happens to miss, we do have to put it away. That also means that if he does bowl, well, we have to accommodate for other things and adapt."
Bumrah
Bumrah owns 16 wickets against the Kiwis in T20Is
As per ESPNcricinfo, Bumrah has claimed a total of 16 wickets against the Kiwis in T20Is from 14 matches. He averages 23.37 with his economy rate being 7.05. His best figures read 3/12. On Indian soil, he has claimed 8 scalps from 8 matches against New Zealand at 28.25. His economy rate is a decent 7.79.
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Bumrah's performance in 2026 T20 World Cup and T20Is overall
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the right-arm pacer has managed 10 wickets from 7 matches at 15.90. He owns an economy rate of 6.60. Bumrah shone in the semi-final against England. He picked 1/33 from 4 overs in a high-scoring affair. Overall in T20Is, he has picked 117 wickets from 94 matches at 18.57. His economy rate is 6.55.