LEEDS: Those who disagreed with the contention that
Jasprit Bumrah is presently the best bowler in the world across formats got further proof on Saturday that he indeed is in a different league.
WORLD CUP SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLEThe lanky paceman has stood apart with his skill, temperament and consistency. He has done the needful virtually every time he has been called upon to deliver for the country.
Saturday was no exception. After Sri Lanka won a good toss and chose to bat on what seemed to be a fairly friendly track, Bumrah made the opening statement by sending back openers
Dimuth Karunaratne and
Kusal Perera in no time.
Sri Lanka managed to stage a rearguard action thanks to
Angelo Mathews but Bumrah came back to dislodge Mathews and ensure that there were no fireworks at the end.
Bumrah, whose first spell of 4-2-14-2 gave India a bright start, finished with splendid final figures of 10-2-37-3 which put to shade a competent show by
Ravindra Jadeja who controlled the middle overs with figures 10-0-40-1.
Jadeja, playing his first game of the tournament, got a breakthrough in his first over by getting
Kusal Mendis stumped. But it remained Bumrah's show. How crucial his contribution was is illustrated by the fact that Sri Lanka milked 73 off
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 10 overs. Bumrah was a different kettle of fish.
Bhuvneshwar got some swing early on but still went for runs because of lack of pace and slight error in length. His first spell read 5-0-36-0 but with Bumrah keeping one end tight, Sri Lanka could never get away with it.