1:37 Chris Jordan told the IPL Cricket Show that Jofra Archer must be in the running for MVP of the tournament given his superb IPL form
It is not just about having the skills, it is about knowing how and when to use them, and Jordan says each of that trio are able to do both more often than not.
“People like [Bumrah], Jof and Rabada, they assess conditions really quickly and that is the key to what makes them so special,” he added. “A lot of them use their bouncer early in their spells, just to test out the pitch and get a feel for the pace of it, what might be required on the day.
“Bumrah can bowl in literally any phase of the game: powerplay, middle, death. He’s got all the skills, he’s got all the tools.”
All the talent, all the tools and, given the number of times he has bowled his side to victory in tight games on the big stage, it is fair to say a temperament to match. Perhaps the only thing capable of preventing Bumrah becoming one of the great bowlers of his generation is injury.
He was sidelined for four months in 2019 with a stress fracture of the lower back and, while he appears back to his best now, his short run-up is the kind that puts a lot of strain on the body. Michael Holding has warned, as he did with Mark Wood, who has since lengthened his run-up, that it could lead to further problems in future.
For now though, he is fully fit and in excellent form. Along with Trent Boult he decimated the Delhi top-order when the sides met in Qualifier 1 last week and while the Capitals faced a gruelling must-win game against the Sunrisers on Sunday, Mumbai have had plenty of time to rest up and prepare for the final.
0:47 Bumrah bowled Shikhar Dhawan with a stunning yorker when Mumbai last played Delhi, in Qualifier 1
Delhi will be desperate to end their wait for a first IPL title and possess numerous potential match-winners: Rabada, Shikhar Dhawan, Marcus Stoinis and Anrich Nortje to name but a few.
Not that Mumbai are lacking in that department with Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya in their ranks. The defending champions look to have the more complete, more in-form and more settled side, they are favourites for a reason. But if it comes down to it and you had to choose one player most likely to make the difference in a close game, it would be Bumrah.
“This bloke’s stats at the moment, if he stays fit, he is going to be an absolute superstar,” Hussain said. “He’s pushing that already.”
Superstardom may be little more than a formality now for Bumrah but the next step on that path is helping Mumbai overcome Delhi to claim yet another IPL crown on Tuesday. He is going to take some stopping.
Watch the IPL final between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 1.50pm on Tuesday.
Sourse: skysports.com
