NEW DELHI: New Zealand’s handling of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the Men’s T20 World Cup final, especially by their openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, will be dictated by the situation of the game rather than any fixed blueprint, said former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull.
Allen and Seifert will be under the spotlight in the title clash to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday after breaking the record for most runs by a partnership in a single edition of the tournament via adding 117 runs against South Africa in the semi-final. Their tally as a pair stands at 463 runs at a strike-rate of 183, including two century stands.
How the explosive opening duo fare against India’s pacers attack, spearheaded by Bumrah, followed by Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya could prove to be decisive in deciding the winner of the tournament.
"Approaching Bumrah in the powerplay is vastly different depending on the game situation. If New Zealand get on top in the first two-three overs, Bumrah might bowl the fourth. If they're really on top in two overs, he might bowl the third. Generally, if India are going well, they have him bowl the fifth or the sixth over to round the powerplay out or to quieten the opposition down a little bit.