Former Indian wicket-keeper Saba Karim praised gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for his invaluable contribution in taking India to glory in the T20 World Cup 2026. Karim highlighted that if Bumrah has a rare off-day, India’s strength will be reduced significantly.

Bumrah bagged 14 wickets in eight matches of the tournament at an average of 12.43 and returned with figures of 4-15 in the final against New Zealand. Furthermore, he bagged 1-33 in his quota of four overs against England in the semifinal clash.

Karim recalled that Bumrah had also played a key role in taking India to glory in T20 World Cup 2026.

Saba Karim said on KADAK YouTube Channel, “I feel that India is in a position where we cannot afford even one bad day from Jasprit Bumrah. If he has an off day, India’s strength gets reduced by at least 40 to 45%. Even in 2024, when we won the World Cup, it was largely because of his crucial overs, otherwise we would have been out of the final.”

Karim praised Bumrah for his impressive spell against England in the semifinal of the T20I showpiece.

“And the same thing happens every time. This time too, we saw it in the semifinals and final, especially in the semifinal, where he bowled four overs for just 33 runs and took a wicket, at a time when the batting side was in full flow, scoring runs rapidly, over 250 in total. For someone to go through those four overs like that is remarkable.”

The former Indian selector lauded Bumrah for his ability to bamboozle the opposition batters with slower deliveries.

“The most amazing thing is that even though Bumrah bowls slow deliveries, batters still cannot score freely off him. That is such an extraordinary quality, no batter can ever properly line him up. I feel he is a talent that makes India very fortunate. We are truly a blessed nation to have Jasprit Bumrah.”

Bumrah had an economy rate of 6.21 in T20 World Cup 2026, which was the best for any bowler.