5 T20I Spells That Established Jasprit Bumrah As India's Deadliest Bowler

Akshita Patel

Jasprit Bumrah's top T20I spells [Source: AFP Photos]Jasprit Bumrah's top T20I spells [Source: AFP Photos]

Jasprit Bumrah is a name that sends shivers down the spine of any batter facing him in any format of the game, let alone the T20Is. Gaining recognition for his toe-crushing yorkers, awkward bowling action, and ice-cool temperament under pressure, Bumrah has delivered some extraordinary performances for India in the shortest format. 

From dismantling Afghanistan on the world stage to outsmarting Pakistan in a tense clash, his spells are proof that he is a once-in-a-generation bowler. Here’s a look at 5 of his best T20I bowling performances for India.

5. 3/16 Vs Australia, 2019

Against a power-packed Australian batting line-up, Jasprit Bumrah was at his lethal best. In 2019, defending just a small target of 127 runs, the speedster gave his absolute best. He picked up 3 important wickets of Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb and Nathan Coulter-Nile while conceding just 16 runs in his 4 overs. However, despite his heroic spell, Glenn Maxwell guided Australia to a 3-wicket victory with a sturdy knock of 56 off 43 balls. 

4. 3/14 Vs England (2017), Pakistan (2024)

4. 3/14 Vs England (2017), Pakistan (2024) [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]4. 3/14 Vs England (2017), Pakistan (2024) [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

In two different years, on two different occasions, Bumrah unravelled his magic with the ball. In 2017 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he trapped England’s batters with his clever slower deliveries and pinpoint yorkers, finishing with 3/14 and guiding India to a 75-run victory. 

Fast forward to 2024, in a high-pressure T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Bumrah repeated the numbers. Defending just 120 runs, Bumrah pulled off a masterclass, dismissing Rizwan, Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, and his 3/14 spell was the turning point in a tense, low-scoring game, once again proving that big games bring out the best in him.

3. 3/12 Vs New Zealand, 2020

3. 3/12 Vs New Zealand, 2020 [Source: @BCCI/X.com]3. 3/12 Vs New Zealand, 2020 [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

On a tricky Bay Oval pitch in a T20I vs New Zealand in 2020, Jasprit Bumrah showed his adaptability, mixing slower balls with sharp bouncers. The Kiwi batters, featuring Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell, found no answers as he ended with 3/12, choking the run flow in the death overs and restricting New Zealand to 156 runs as India went on to win the game by 7 runs.

2. 3/11 Vs Zimbabwe, 2016

Early in his T20I career, Bumrah announced himself in style. Playing in Harare, he bowled with remarkable precision, dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting with figures of 3/11. He dismissed Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura and Neville Madziva to complete his 3-wicket-haul. In the same game, Barinder Sran picked 4 wickets as the pace duo rattled Zimbabwe to 99 runs in the first inning, and India won the game by 10 wickets.

1. 3/7 Vs Afghanistan, 2024

1. 3/7 Vs Afghanistan, 2024 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]1. 3/7 Vs Afghanistan, 2024 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Jasprit Bumrah served one of the most destructive and economical spells of his life. Against Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval, he tore through the top order, sending back Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai and Najibullah Zadran while giving only 7 runs in his 4 overs. His variations and control left the batters in a state of bewilderment, and the game became a one-sided contest. This spell is one of the most powerful in Indian T20 history.