The undisputed leader of Mumbai’s bowling unit, Jasprit Bumrah is arguably the best bowler in the world. Suryavanshi, just 14, will be facing a completely different class of bowling than what he encountered against GT.
Bumrah’s arsenal of variations, combined with his precision under pressure, makes him a nightmare for any batter, let alone a teenager new to the big stage. Though he began this season slowly due to injury, Bumrah has found his rhythm and form, making him a daunting prospect for any opposition batter.
While Suryavanshi looked in total control against GT, it was notable that their pacers didn’t test him with hard-length deliveries, a potential weakness. Hardik Pandya, whose natural bowling length sits around back of a length, could be the perfect candidate to exploit this gap.
Known for his aggressive mindset, Pandya might even open the bowling to surprise the youngster with short-pitched deliveries and unsettle him early
An unconventional choice perhaps, but Will Jacks could prove to be a masterstroke. Deployed often as a partnership-breaker by captain Hardik, Jacks has impressed this season with both economy and wicket-taking ability. Against the left-handed Suryavanshi, Jacks’ off-breaks will turn away, adding another layer of difficulty. With a better economy rate than even Bumrah, Jacks’ subtle variations could outfox the teenager at a crucial stage
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