New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has commended the exceptional form of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah but believes even the world’s best bowlers are not immune to an occasional off day. As anticipation builds for the final of the T20 World Cup, set to be played on Sunday in Ahmedabad, Phillips expressed respect for Bumrah’s impact while suggesting New Zealand will be prepared to pounce on any opportunity if the Indian pacer has a rare failure.
"Bumrah is a fantastic bowler. He's got so many variations. He hits the blockhole at the death incredibly well. You know, and 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," Phillips said.
So far, Bumrah has been one of India’s standout performers throughout the tournament. And his brilliance was on full display during India’s semi-final victory over England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. He finished with figures of 1 for 33 from his four overs, a spell which was one of the reasons behind India's tense win.
"The way England played him yesterday, in terms of trying to take on the last two overs and give themselves as much of a chance as possible. That was the tactic that they'd employed. It's not necessarily going to be that, per se. 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 do have to, I guess, accommodate for other things and adapt," Phillips said.