India's chances will increase if Jasprit Bumrah shows good form in WTC final: Saba Karim

Former national selector Saba Karim said India's performance in the ICC World Test Championship final will depend on what kind of form Jasprit Bumrah shows against New Zealand.

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India's chances will increase if Jasprit Bumrah shows good form in WTC final: Saba Karim
Jasprit Bumrah is just into his third year in Test cricket but has already become one of the leading bowlers (Reuters Photo)

In Short

  • Jasprit Bumrah is the premier pace bowler of the Indian team: Saba Karim
  • Bumrah has picked 83 wickets already from 19 Tests at an average of 22.10
  • Bumrah is the only Asian bowler to pick five-wicket hauls in ENG, SA, AUS and the WI in Test cricket

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim identified Jasprit Bumrah as one of the trump card's for the national team who will be crucial to their chances of victory in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

Bumrah is just into his third year in Test cricket but has already become one of the leading bowlers in the format with 83 wickets from 19 games at a superb average of 22.10. He is the only Asian bowler to pick five-wicket hauls in England, South Africa, Australia and the West Indies in Test cricket.

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Karim therefore, feels that India's performance in the all-important summit clash will depend on what kind of form Bumrah shows against New Zealand.

"At this moment, the form Jasprit Bumrah has shown in the last 3-4 IPL matches, I have full belief that if Jasprit Bumrah shows good form in the World Test Championship match, our chances will increase significantly," said Karim while speaking to India News.

Bumrah is the newest member of India's lethal fast-bowling quartet which also comprises of veterans Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav but Karim rates him as the best of the lot.

"Jasprit Bumrah is the premier pace bowler of the Indian team at the moment and he is a player who represents India in multiple formats. So, he always has the pressure to perform and to remain fit. Bumrah has always performed in Test matches. He is a unique type of bowler, it is very difficult to pick him.

"Along with that he has the pace, he bowls good short deliveries and because of that slowly and steadily Jasprit Bumrah's dominance in international cricket is going on increasing," former national selector Karim said.

India last week named its 20-member Test squad for the WTC final and the subsequent five-match series against England. Virat Kohli's Team India is scheduled to take on Kane Williamson's side in the WTC final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton from June 18.

The Test series against hosts England will take place in Nottingham, London, Leeds and Manchester from August 4.