IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar wants Mumbai Indians to use Jasprit Bumrah the way Pakistan used Umar Gul

Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns with each other for Match 34 of the Indian Premier League. The battle for the play-offs is already heating up and thus every game would be important for the teams. Talking about the head-to-head clash, Mumbai has been dominant against Kolkata. To continue this, the fast bowling spearhead of MI Jasprit Bumrah will play a vital role.

KKR has some power hitters on their side who can pose threat to MI. Their openers also looked in good touch in the game against Bangalore. MI, however, lost their game against Chennai in the opening match of the UAE leg of the IPL. The MS Dhoni-led side came from behind and secured a victory.

Thus, ahead of the crucial encounter between Mumbai and Kolkata, the former India batter and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was asked in interaction on ESPNcricinfo about how MI should make the best use of Bumrah. Manjrekar suggested that the team should start the bowling with Trent Boult or Adam Milne and that Bumrah can take the mantle in the latter half of the game.

“If you look at Bumrah’s style, it isn’t like that of either Siraj or Deepak Chahar, who try and dismiss batsmen through swing, when they are not looking to go after the bowling. Bumrah’s wickets generally come in the latter half. So, they should get the likes of Trent Boult and Adam Milne to bowl in the initial stages,” Manjrekar asserted.

Get Jasprit Bumrah to bowl when the pressure increases: Sanjay Manjrekar

Jasprit Bumrah has been pivotal for Mumbai Indians in providing crucial breakthroughs. Manjrekar brought up the example of Pakistan pacer Umar Gul who used to bowl the slog overs and suggested Mumbai to do the same with Bumrah. He also reckoned that the pacer should be brought in when the game is in a crunch situation.

“If you remember Umar Gul used to bowl all his four overs towards the end of the innings for Pakistan and he was quite successful. I think MI should keep all four of Bumrah’s overs after the 10-over mark. In case the team is in trouble and opposition batsmen are scoring freely then maybe bring him on for a few overs but try and save him for the later stages. Get him to bowl when the pressure increases and batsmen are desperately looking to hit boundaries,” Manjrekar said.