India’s struggles to defend big totals in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies have brought legendary speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s absence into focus. With both teams enjoying a run-filled series, India have found it difficult to keep the opposition batters in check, especially when defending scores above 200.
Following India’s 24-run defeat in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson admitted that there is no like-for-like replacement for Bumrah. He called the Indian pacer a once-in-a-generation bowler but also backed the team’s other fast bowlers to step up.
Samson praised Arshdeep Singh for his performances and was impressed with the way young pacer Prince Yadav has bowled in recent matches. He believes that giving young bowlers regular opportunities and backing them will help them improve.
Sanju Samson Says There Is No Replacement For Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah’s absence has been noticeable as India have struggled to contain West Indies’ powerful batting line-up. The visitors have repeatedly put the Indian bowling attack under pressure, making it difficult for the hosts to defend big scores.
Speaking after the fourth T20I, Samson acknowledged Bumrah’s importance to the team while expressing confidence in the available bowling options.
India Struggle To Defend Big Totals Against West Indies
The five-match series has produced plenty of runs, with India struggling to find consistency with the ball.
India began the series with a comfortable eight-wicket win while chasing 172 in the opening match. However, their bowling came under pressure in the second T20I in Ranchi, where West Indies chased down a target of 250, reaching 252/4 in just 18.3 overs.
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India bounced back in the third match, defending 223 runs to secure a 14-run victory despite West Indies finishing on 209/7.
The fourth T20I, however, exposed similar concerns. Shai Hope scored an unbeaten century to help West Indies post 247/3 before India were restricted to 223, handing the visitors a 24-run win.
With the series now level at 2-2, India will need to improve their bowling, particularly when dealing with aggressive batters in the later stages of an innings.
Sanju Samson Identifies Tilak Varma’s Wicket As Turning Point
Samson also pointed to Tilak Varma’s dismissal as the key moment in India’s defeat in Hyderabad.
India were struggling at 130/5 in the 12th over while chasing 248. However, Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy joined hands to bring the hosts back into the contest with a valuable partnership.
The two batters kept the required run rate within reach and reduced the equation to 48 runs from 19 balls. India appeared to have a chance of pulling off the chase before Romario Shepherd dismissed Varma.
Samson felt India were in a strong position at that stage and praised both youngsters for handling the pressure after the team had lost five wickets.
India and West Indies will now meet in the fifth and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17, with the series tied at 2-2.