Ahmedabad, March 8 The exceptional Jasprit Bumrah was caught up in the wave of joy and relief after India's T20 World Cup victory here on Sunday, having experienced heartbreak at the same venue just over three years ago.
While India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the T20 tournament, they lost to Australia in the title clash of the 2023 ODI World Cup in front of a packed stadium, and Bumrah was happy to have put an end to the painful memories on an evening in November.
"It feels extremely special because I played one final at my home ground but couldn't win it, but today I won," said Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match against the Kiwis.
In the final, Bumrah finished with impressive figures of 4/15 in four overs as India bowled out New Zealand for 159 after posting a formidable 255 for five in their allotted 20 overs.
He was also on a hat-trick in the title clash, three days after his heroics in the semi-final against England.
"I knew the wicket was a flat one, so I had to use all my experience. Before this tournament, I was in a zone where I felt I was trying too hard because I was bowling well but also felt I was overthinking. In this tournament, I just tried to let the game come to me, and that worked really well," Bumrah said.
"My individual assessment has always been my strength, and getting Man of the Match at my home ground in a World Cup final, it doesn't get better than that."
Asked about his slower balls, which the batsmen struggled to cope with, the unassuming Bumrah said, "Because of my experience, because I have played on these pitches, and I have also seen other teams, I learned that trying to bowl too fast can make shot-making easier. So, I just played smart and tried to think about what the batsmen were trying to do."
On the Indian bowling group, the pace spearhead said, "Whenever we discuss, they always come up with options. And when communication is needed, we do that. We never panicked. We kept our heads above water. Teams that do that win the tournament, and I am very happy that we did."
