. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
The Kiwi opener who is one of the only two batsmen in the world to boast of a world cup 200 revealed that they were facing one of the best death bowlers in the world in Jasprit Bumrah
We are facing one of the best death bowler: Martin Guptill
New Zealand were tied down for just 132 runs in their 20 overs which was no match for the Indian batters who finished the game with more than 15 balls to spare. The experienced opener Martin Guptill who scored 33 runs from 20 deliveries once again failed to convert his start. He was heaping his praises on Jasprit Bumrah who was impeccable in the death by not allowing Kiwis to score even a near descent total.
Here’s what Guptill said about the pitch and the Indian death bowling
“We certainly felt that the pitch was getting slower and slower when we were batting. It got harder and harder to bat as the game progressed. We needed one of the top three-four to bat majority of the innings. We weren’t able to get partnerships to add up the total
Lot of swing and misses. We were trying but we were facing one of the best death bowlers in the world (Jasprit Bumrah). It is tough to get him away at the end.”
“Iyer and Rahul took the game away from us,” says Guptill.
Indians lost two of their stalwarts in Rohit and Virat early in the chase but the calm and composed batting of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul completely blowed away the New Zealand’s chances of winning the game. New Zealand were in with a chance when they removed the Indian captain and vice captain but Rahul and Iyer were unstoppable that day
“We probably knew we were light on runs. But we had to try and defend that, and get early wickets upfront. Thought the bowlers did well in the front six overs, we needed more wickets after Virat got out. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul batted very well and we were not able to break that partnership,” Guptill said