In awe of Jasprit Bumrah, New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert says the Indian speedster’s subtle variations have been difficult to pick in the ongoing T20 series and his side needs to a learn a thing or two about adapting from the visitors.
India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20 International in Auckland on Sunday to grab a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Bumrah returned with figures of 1-21 from his four overs as Indian skipper Virat Kohli changed his bowling plans from the first game.
“Even in the first game, Bumrah bowled slower balls that were going wider. Normally, death bowlers get into straighter lines, plus yorkers and mix it with chest height. He kind of changes things a lot and is tougher to play,” Seifert said.
“…the ball was holding a lot more which made it tougher. So sometimes as a batsman you have to move away from the stumps and see if they bowl straight. I was backing myself to do something different instead of just standing there at the wicket,” said the stumper, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 26 balls.
He said New Zealand batsmen need to take a cue from their Indian counterparts on how to adapt to different conditions quickly.
“…Indian batsmen showed how to get under the ball and time it. They showed it a couple of times that and on the slower wickets you just have to keep it like that. Once you lose your shape, you are not in position,” he said.
The third T20 will be played here on Wednesday before back-to-back matches in Wellington and Mt Maunganui.
