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Mumbai likely earned their defeat in the final given the number of blunders they made on such a critical night, despite how impressively they had played as a team throughout the tournament. That said, if any single player deserved to lift the trophy based on pure talent and resilience under pressure, it was undoubtedly Jasprit Bumrah.
Whenever Chennai seemed to be seizing control of the match, Bumrah stepped in to steady the ship for Mumbai. He broke the momentum of Chennai's chase—which had been thriving largely due to Mumbai's fielding lapses allowing Shane Watson multiple chances—by taking two vital wickets: Ambati Rayudu in the 11th and Dwayne Bravo in the 19th. Ending with an incredible spell of 2 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs, he was the primary catalyst for Mumbai's narrow one-run victory and their fourth league title.
Bumrah's dominance wasn't limited to the final; he was a force to be reckoned with all season long. He wrapped up the competition with 19 wickets across 16 games, maintaining a tight economy rate of 6.63. In the fast-paced T20 format, such statistics are incredibly valuable, and this peak form serves as an ideal springboard for the upcoming World Cup.
The upcoming tournament in England marks the first World Cup appearance for the 25-year-old. It's common for young players to feel the weight of such a massive stage, a tendency that showed in his earlier ICC appearances. His 2017 Champions Trophy run was underwhelming, with only 4 wickets at a high average of 52.50, and his 2016 World T20 stats—4 wickets at 38.25—were similarly lackluster. However, he was still finding his feet back then, having only debuted internationally in 2016.
Now a far more experienced bowler, Bumrah is unlikely to be rattled by the intensity of a major international event. Having already faced the pressure of two previous global tournaments, he has developed the mental toughness and composure needed to succeed.
Since that difficult 2017 Champions Trophy, Bumrah has been prolific, claiming 59 wickets in 33 ODIs—more than any other fast bowler in that timeframe. Additionally, among pacers with at least 100 overs since that tournament, his average of 20.27 is the second-best, and his economy rate of 4.30 is the most efficient of all.
The key now is for him to maintain this rhythm as he heads into next month's prestigious tournament. His exceptional form in the Indian T20 League has given him a significant confidence boost, ensuring he enters the World Cup in a positive and focused state of mind.
Written by: Prasenjit Dey