Why Jasprit Bumrah Did Not Bowl in the Last Over: An In-Depth Analysis
Understanding the Context
In the context of the India vs New Zealand fourth T20 match, Virat Kohli, the captain, decided not to deploy Jasprit Bumrah in the last over. This decision was not arbitrary but rather a strategic move driven by the urgency to break the then-dangerous partnership between Siefert and Taylor. This article delves into the reasons behind this decision and its impact on the match's outcome.
The Strategic Decision of Not Bowling Bumrah Last
Virat Kohli, being the astute strategist that he is, realized the importance of maintaining a cohesive session of bowling, especially with the chase appearing quite easy for the New Zealand side. With only two overs left to Bumrah, it was crucial to ensure that the scoreboard didn't move in favor of New Zealand too significantly. Kohli's aim was to use Bumrah's best possible performance to break the partnership and secure a turnaround in the match.
If your best bowler bowls the second last over and prevents run flow, the bowler bowling the last over is under less pressure and has more runs to save. - This advice from the Cricket Metrics website aligns well with Kohli's strategic decision.
Why Bumrah’s Second Last Over Was Important
The challenge faced by Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur in the 17th over led to the decision of Bumrah to bowl the 18th over. With Siefert and Taylor initializing a strong partnership, India needed a breakthrough to regain control of the innings. Bumrah’s role in the 18th over was pivotal, but both overs that he bowled didn't have a significant impact in terms of restricting the run flow, conceding runs without troubling the batsmen.
The Role of Shardul Thakur
Interestingly, it was not Bumrah but Shardul Thakur who played a crucial role in salvaging the match. Thakur, along with Ishant Sharma, combined to confine New Zealand to a tie score, which then pushed the match into the super over. This critical performance by Thakur was a testament to the team's ability to adapt strategically in adverse situations.
The In-Game Scenario and Decision-Making
Rahul made a crucial six in the first two balls of the chase, setting the stage for India. However, the real hero of the match was Kohli, who sealed the victory with a boundary in the super over, demonstrating his leadership and composure under pressure. The match ended with a thrilling super over, reaffirming the importance of run-scoring pressure right till the final over.
Conclusion
The decision not to deploy Bumrah in the last over was a calculated risk taken by Kohli to maintain the momentum in the chase. Despite the outcome not favoring him in the immediate overs, Thakur and Kohli's contributions ultimately secured the win for India, showcasing the importance of strategic decision-making and adaptability in high-pressure situations.