Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s real impact bowler in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has used him in different phases and the pace spearhead has certainly delivered for the team, claiming 9 wickets in 6 matches so far at an economy rate of 6.30.

Bumrah, who was the Player-of-the-Tournament in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, will be keen to carry his good form as the tournament heads into the knockout stage.

The defending champions are due to face England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday (March 5).

Ahead of the all-important fixture, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, saying that latter’s ability to keep evolving his bowling separates him from the rest.

“I am delighted to be in the commentary box rather than facing him. What stands out with Bumrah is the constant evolution of his bowling arsenal. He began primarily swinging the ball into right-handers and naturally away from left-handers, but as early as India’s 2018 tour of England, he demonstrated reverse movement—into left-handers and away from right-handers. He relentlessly adds variations like the slow bouncer and slow yorker," Gavaskar said, as quoted by TOI.

According to Gavaskar, Bumrah's unpredictability has made him potent across all formats of the game.

"Critically, his run-up and action show minimal change, leaving batters unprepared. With most bowlers—though not all—you can spot subtle 'tells' (calls) from the non-striker’s end: a shoulder shrug, shirt flick or similar gesture as they decide their delivery during the walk. With most bowlers—though not all—you can spot subtle 'tells' from the non-striker’s end: a shoulder shrug, shirt flick or similar gesture as they decide their delivery during the walk-back and run-up. Over time, you decode these cues. As detailed in Andre Agassi’s book, he cracked Boris Becker’s serves by noting tongue position when tossing the ball—left for wide, right for the centre-line but Bumrah reveals nothing. His wide-of-the-crease angle makes you anticipate inswing, yet he can seam it away. That unpredictability has made him devastating across all formats.”

Gavaskar wants the Indian team management to give "at least two powerplay overs" to Bumrah so that he can "shatter England's top-order" in the semifinal.

“That matchup will be fascinating to watch. I believe Bumrah should bowl at least two powerplay overs. With the new ball, striking early—like getting Jos Buttler, Phil Salt or Harry Brook— would shatter England’s top order. Bringing him on for the fifth over lets openers face 20 deliveries (8- 10 each) and settle. Would it not be better for India if Bumrah attacked them fresh from the start, dismissing them before they adjust?”

Gavaskar also warned the Indian batters about England all-rounder Will Jacks' off-spin. Jacks has bagged four 'Player of the Match' awards in the tournament thus far.

“Yes, if there is a bit of turn on the Wankhede pitch, he could prove to be a handful. How Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya counter him will be crucial. He may not bowl much to India’s left-handers like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan or Shivam Dube lower down—the right-handers might face him more. But he is in top form right now; tournaments often bring such purple patches. Even his handy lower-order batting at No. 7 is a huge asset for England, much like Shivam Dube’s impact yesterday at the same position—two boundaries in one over eased the pressure,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar believes the India versus England final-four clash would be a thriller, akin to the India versus West Indies Super 8s fixture.

“It promises to be another thrilling contest, much like this quarter-final against West Indies. Both teams are evenly matched, boasting strong batting line-ups, bowling variety, solid middle orders and reliable finishers. Each side has experienced T20 players; England even has several IPL veterans familiar with Indian conditions and the intense crowd pressure from franchise games. This should be a humdinger of a match, likely extending to the full 40 overs, just as yesterday's did in Kolkata,” Gavaskar said.

(With TOI Inputs)