World Cup 2019: India vs Pakistan - 3 key encounters crucial for each side’s fortunes in the match

#3 Jasprit Bumrah vs Babar Azam

India v Australia - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Jasprit Bumrah headed into the World Cup as the number one ranked ODI bowler in the world and he’s taken no time in hammering down just why he’s so deserving of all the plaudits directed his way. India’s spearhead, the scintillating spearhead has been a real force to reckon with at the tournament, leaving batsmen flummoxed time and time again.

Kohli used him in bits and pieces against Australia and expect the Indian captain to do the same against Pakistan. He’ll be saving Bumrah up for Babar Azam, the only batsman who offers some kind of fortitude in Pakistan’s dwindling batting unit. With the middle-order known to tumble down, Azam is the only piece holding together the top and middle order and India know if they send him back early, they’ll expose a middle-order they can wrap up cheaply.

Be it the inswinging deliveries, outswinging ones, yorkers or slower ones, Bumrah has it all. Expect him to send down the kitchen sink and more at Azam in a deadly show of pace bowling, where he’ll be looking to keep the bowling wicket to wicket and cramp Azam up for room.