T20 WC SF: Gavaskar Advises India to Bowl Bumrah in Powerplay Against England

March 3, 2026

New Delhi: Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has advised India to use Jasprit Bumrah for bowling two overs in the powerplay of the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, noting that early breakthroughs from the fast-bowling spearhead could derail the opposition before finding their rhythm.

Bumrah holds the second-best economy rate (6.3) among bowlers who bowled more than seven overs in the Super Eights. He has conceded only three sixes in the entire tournament. Unlike a usual set approach, India have deployed Bumrah flexibly, using him as a trump card at decisive junctures.

Against South Africa, he bowled two overs in the powerplay and two at the back end. In the crunch five-wicket win over the West Indies in Kolkata, Bumrah bowled only one over in the powerplay and had three of his overs reserved for the second half of the West Indies innings, where he delivered his trademark yorkers and subtle variations.

The 12th over underlined his impact as he removed Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase in the space of three deliveries. With India using Bumrah in different ways, it sets the tone for a tactical clash between him and England’s batting line-up led by skipper Harry Brook.

Gavaskar on Bumrah’s Unpredictability
“Yes, that is going to be something worth watching. I do believe that he should be bowling at least two overs in the power play because as a new-ball bowler with the brand-new ball, if he can get those two wickets or get Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook, he will have pretty much broken the back of the England batting,” said Gavaskar.

He further explained the genius of Bumrah’s bowling, citing his relentless evolution, ability to conceal variations, and minimal cues to batters. Gavaskar drew a parallel with tennis legend Andre Agassi reading Boris Becker’s serve, highlighting that no batter can pick Bumrah’s deliveries easily.

“Well, I’m so happy I’m in the commentators’ box and not facing him. But what you see with Jasprit Bumrah is the little additions that he makes to his bowling repertoire… he just keeps on adding something,” he added.

Key Match-Ups: Buttler and Will Jacks
Bumrah bowling in the powerplay is especially crucial given Jos Buttler’s current lean form in the tournament, averaging just 8.85 in seven innings. “Getting Jos Buttler’s wicket is going to be a big, big deal because we’ve seen in the IPL and also in the ICC events that he can be such a destructive batter,” Gavaskar noted.

He also discussed England’s in-form all-rounder Will Jacks and the role of India’s right-handers in countering him. “If there’s a little bit of turn in the Wankhede pitch, he could be a handful. So maybe a Samson or Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya handle him is going to be a key feature,” Gavaskar explained.