India’s difficulty in defending high totals during the ongoing Twenty20 International series against West Indies has highlighted the absence of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, with batsman Sanju Samson emphasising there is no player like him.
Speaking after India’s 24-run loss to West Indies, Samson described Bumrah as a once-in-a-generation bowler, adding that the team has promising pace-bowling options such as Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav. He expressed confidence that giving young bowlers regular opportunities and support would aid their development.
The T20I series has featured high-scoring matches, making defending totals over 200 increasingly challenging. India secured an eight-wicket victory in the opening game after chasing 172 runs comfortably. However, the second match in Ranchi exposed the bowling weaknesses when West Indies successfully chased 252 runs for four wickets in 18.3 overs.
India responded by defending 223 runs in the third T20I to win by 14 runs despite the West Indies making 209 for seven. Nevertheless, they struggled again in the fourth match, with Shai Hope scoring an unbeaten century as West Indies posted 247 for three. India fell short by 24 runs.
Samson said: “There is no replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. He is a once-in-a-generation kind of bowler, and we are very lucky to have him. But we have had some really good talent coming along also; Arshdeep has been doing a great job, and also the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few games is very impressive. I feel we have some really good talent. The more we play them, the more we back them, the better they will become.”
Samson identified the dismissal of Tilak Varma as a turning point in India’s defeat in the fourth T20I, stating the team were well placed during the chase with Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy scoring steadily despite losing five wickets. He commended the young batsmen for handling pressure and challenging the West Indies bowling attack.
Chasing 248 on a relaid pitch, India were 130 for five in the 12th over before the partnership between Varma and Reddy brought the equation to 48 runs off 19 balls. Varma’s dismissal by Romario Shepherd proved decisive.
“The turning point of the match was when Tilak got out. We were cruising, scoring those 10-12 runs per over really nicely. Reddy and Tilak were batting really well in the pressure situation. Till that moment, I think we were in the chase. That is actually a great thing to have after losing five wickets, having that kind of control – two young cricketers taking on the pressure and taking on the West Indian bowling line-up,” Samson said.
The series is tied 2-2 ahead of the decider at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17.