In the ongoing T20I World Cup 2024, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has held back bowling supremo Jasprit Bumrah from opening the spell for the team, rather he has used him later in the innings. To open the bowling, he has used Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. But, Rohit Sharma’s decision to open the spell with Siraj and Arshdeep hasn’t settled well with Indian legend Kapil Dev, who has brought forward the significance of Bumrah opening the spell for the team. 

In the meantime, India’s campaign at the T20I World Cup has been incredible as they have remained victorious in their last two games against Ireland and Pakistan. Notably, Bumrah’s role has been tremendous wherever Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has given him the responsibility to bowl. He was the reason behind India’s victory against Pakistan, returning with three wickets to script a come-from-behind victory for the team.

“The next time I would go and ask the captain this question because to know about their thought process, I'd need to be among them. We can assume from the outside but by whatever amount of cricket I have played or seen, he needs to bowl the first over. He is a wicket-taking bowler. If you make him second or third change or make him bowl the fifth and sixth over, the game can slip out of your hands," Kapil Dev said on ABP News.

“So better to have that positive mindset from the very beginning. This is not a Test match. This is T20. The quicker you take wickets, the more pressure it puts on the opposition. So if Bumrah opens the bowling and picks up a couple of wickets upfront in a two-over spell, then the other team will always struggle. And then life becomes earlier for your other bowlers. Sometimes Bumrah will also get hit but the belief should be to plan with a positive mindset," he said.

Kapil Dev also commended the efforts of Bumrah in maintaining his rhythm and consistency despite having a challenging bowling action. 

"We didn't think he would be able to play so much cricket. We felt it would be difficult because of his action and the way he runs, the pressure it puts on his body and shoulders. But he has proved all of us wrong and even proven that by this action itself, I can show become the best bowler in the world. Sometimes you have to pay the price, but if it comes through a loss, it's tough," noted Kapil Dev.