One of the reasons why Mumbai Indians (MI) traded New Zealand quick Trent Boult from Delhi Capitals (DC) for this year's IPL was to not just add the left-arm variety to their attack but also have at least some swing first-up in the powerplay overs to challenge the opposition batters.
A flip side to that meant more responsibility through the middle-overs and the death for team's spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, which is why MI's Director of Cricket, Zaheer Khan, feels the Indian pacer's performances this season have even more impressive.
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While Boult has done his job reasonably well with the new ball, Bumrah has controlled the rest of the innings for MI, the duo offering a brilliant combination that has only enhanced the quality within the side.
Both Bumrah and Boult have taken 12 wickets apiece in eight innings going at economy rates of 7.62 and 8.01, respectively.
"For us, it's very important that we set the tone nicely and that's what Boult has been doing for us. He's been swinging the ball and attacking the stumps," said Zaheer in a video posted over Mumbai Indians' official Twitter handle.
"An we have been putting the responsibility on Bumrah to the tough job. We know it is not easy for any bowler to come late in the game and then have that kind of impact."
"Bumrah is a match-winner and that's the responsibility with which he walks onto the field with and he's been doing it so fantastically well for us," added the former India pacer.
Currently second in the points table with six wins in eight matches, Zaheer feels it's important for MI to keep the rhythm going in the next match on Sunday (October 18) in Dubai versus Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and thereafter as well.
"We have a great cricketing rhythm going at the moment and that's something which is very important for us to continue with. So staying in the right zone is something which everyone is keen on and that's what as a group we're going to encourage going forward," he signed off.
(Inputs from ANI)
