An elated Indian ODI and Twenty20 skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is highly impressed with young Gujarat pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who gave the Australian batsmen a hard time during the limited overs series in Australia that concluded in Sydney. Bumrah’s slinging action rattled the Aussies and they found it hard to read him.
“At the end of the day, we have won and I am happy it’s a comprehensive victory. Winning 3-0 against Australia in Australia is always a big one. But it is more about how the team is looking rather than just from a captain’s view.
“We have won the series over here but it is important to look at the bigger picture. Jasprit Bumrah has potential and is looking very good indeed. Even today he bowled the Yorkers really well.”
Veteran Ashish Nehra also came in for some praise from the skipper. “The formats are different but it was the bowlers that we were really looking for and I feel when it comes to fast bowlers, Bumrah and Ashish Nehra have done a good job in the three games they have played. Hardik Pandya as a package is very good. He is a good fielder and at the same time if he gives me those couple overs, and the reputation he has with his batting lower down, he looks like a good one to have in the side,” he said.
Indirectly Dhoni also made it clear that likes of Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav might find it difficult to break into the limited overs side considering their inconsistent performances over the past few years.
“We came here with a slightly inexperienced bowling attack but at the same time we wanted to try different people. Because we had been trying the same few individuals and we have been getting the same results. So it was high time that we gave chances to a few individuals in the domestic circuit and see what really they have to offer.
“As far as only talent is concerned, there were a few people who looked good but they will have to improve further. But the find of the tour for me was Bumrah. The way he has bowled in the last three games he has been really good,” he added.
Dew became a factor in this match also and that was the reason that a big target like 198 seemed gettable.
“Dew had set in which meant that it was a big score but the way we were batting in the series so far it was definitely a target we could chase down. And the kind of start provided by the openers was what was needed ideally, and it was well capitalised by Virat Kohli coming in at No 3.
“After that the game got close when we lost him but overall we never thought that it is something that is beyond a par-score. And I feel that we have closed the series really well because we are always lacking that one extra step from the side. In the last 3-4 games, we can definitely say that we have done it as a team, but I would still give that extra credit to the bowlers,” said Dhoni.
