IPL 2020: Boult backs Jasprit Bumrah to bounce back strongly
What's the story
Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Trent Boult believes his teammate Jasprit Bumrah will bounce back strongly in the upcoming game against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Bumrah, who is regarded as one of the greatest modern day fast bowlers, conceded 43 runs against Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener.
Notably, he finished as MI's most expensive bowler in the match.
Here is more on the same.
Praise
Bumrah is trying hard to get back his rhythm: Boult
Boult lavished praise on Bumrah.
"He is a world class bowler, he is trying hard over the last couple of days to find rhythm. I am 100 per cent sure he will be on the mark in the coming games," Boult said.
"He is a big player for us and a very important bowler and I am sure he will bounce back very nicely."
Match
How did Bumrah fare in the match?
In the tournament opener against CSK, MI didn't use Bumrah as a strike-bowler with Trent Boult and James Pattinson around.
Meanwhile, the former bowled a no-ball on the last ball of his first over.
This made CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu dispatch the ball off the Free-hit.
Moreover, Bumrah couldn't bowl his usual yorkers at the death and finished with an economy-rate of 10.80.
Numbers
Bumrah has stumbled following his return from injury
Even before the COVID-19 break, things went downhill for Bumrah as he came back from his lower back injury.
He was under the scanner during the entire New Zealand tour.
Following his return, Bumrah managed to scalp only 15 wickets from 16 internationals at 42.86.
Also, he failed to pick up a single wicket in the ODI series against New Zealand, conceding 167 runs.
Quote
Boult looks forward to bowling alongside Bumrah
"The opportunity to bowl with Bumrah is very good opportunity to learn. And yes Bumrah is a guy, who is very experienced and he has got some amazing skills and I'm really looking forward to hopefully having some success with him," added Boult.
Credentials
Will Bumrah fire against KKR?
In the Indian Premier League, Bumrah has been the nucleus of the Mumbai Indians' pace attack.
His attributes both at the start and death are deemed indispensable.
He was MI's leading wicket-taker last year (19 wickets), while his bowling average in the previous three seasons read as - 21.52, 21.88, 21.95.
It will be interesting to see how he bowls against KKR.