NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah is a world class operator but he can also have an off day, something Glenn Phillips and the New Zealand team would be hoping for when they face India in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday.
Bumrah has been India's standout performer in the tournament with strong displays against Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and England. His death bowling in particular has been exceptional.
However Phillips, who did enjoy some success against the Indian spearhead during the bilateral series before the T20 World Cup, believes that even the best can have an off day and Bumrah will not be an exception.
Phillips hopeful of rare off day
"Bumrah is a fantastic bowler. He's got so many variations. He hits the blockhole at the death incredibly well. You know, and he's human as well. He is allowed to have a bad day, as are the rest of us. So hopefully we have a good day against him," Phillips said, full of praise for the Indian maestro but also had a note of warning for the hosts.
He felt that England's plan was to see out Bumrah while attacking the other bowlers.
"The way England played him yesterday, in terms of trying to take on the last two overs, and give themselves as much of a chance as possible. That was the tactic that they'd employed."
New Zealand must seize opportunities
Phillips stressed that New Zealand will have to cash in on every chance if Bumrah misses his mark as they cannot afford to simply play out his four overs.
"It's not necessarily going to be that, per se. As I said, a bowler is allowed to miss, and if he happens to miss, we do have to put it away. That also means that if he does bowl well, we do have to, I guess, accommodate for other things and adapt."
(With PTI Inputs)
