Bumrahs Return Vital for Indias T20 Series Against Afghanistan, Says Vivek Razdan

New Delhi, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : India’s former fast bowler Vivek Razdan believes that the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan is crucial for Jasprit Bumrah. Having recently recovered from a left knee injury, Bumrah is set to make his comeback. Razdan highlighted that this series offers Bumrah an excellent opportunity to regain his match rhythm and fitness.

Bumrah has taken 121 wickets in 95 T20 Internationals and played a pivotal role in securing two T20 World Cup titles for India. He was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the 2024 T20 World Cup and ‘Player of the Match’ in the 2026 final. His return comes as a relief for India, especially after missing the third ODI against England and a Test match against Sri Lanka.

During a virtual discussion hosted by Sony Sports Network, Razdan stated, “Bumrah’s return is significant news. He is a match-winner and an impact player capable of turning games single-handedly.” He further explained that returning to the shortest format of the game is beneficial for players coming back from injury, as it allows them to regain their rhythm with shorter spells.

On the topic of Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, Razdan pointed out that Iyer has led the team to victory in only three out of ten matches since taking over in June. He warned that the pressure of leading the Indian team is immense, especially given the high expectations set by previous captains.

Razdan remarked, “When you consider captaining India, it’s impossible to avoid pressure. You carry the hopes of over 1.4 billion people. This burden will always be with you.” He noted that Iyer took over after Suryakumar Yadav led the team to a T20 World Cup win, meaning comparisons are inevitable.

He acknowledged Iyer’s leadership skills demonstrated in the IPL and expressed hope that he will adapt and implement strategic changes as he gains experience. Razdan concluded, “When the team performs well, the captain’s job becomes easier. Challenges arise when players are out of form. The Afghanistan series will be tough, and the Asian Games will also present a significant challenge. I believe that once the team starts winning consistently under his captaincy, the past results will be forgotten.”