“All credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah,” Samson said after India beat England by seven runs. “I think the world-class bowler, once-in-a-generation bowler… I think that’s what he delivered today. This [award] should go to him actually. So, if he didn’t bowl that way in the death overs, I would not be standing here. So all credit goes to the bowlers, how they backed themselves in the tough conditions.”
“Absolutely. I mean, you know how capable he is, and what he’s done over the years for India,” Suryakumar said. “And he did the same thing today. Embraced it, raised his hand again, showed character, and pulled the game away from them.”
After Bumrah dismissed England captain Harry Brook for 7 with a slower variation with his first ball, he was tasked with a more difficult job at the death when England were threatening a jailbreak. Bowling the 16th and 18th overs, Bumrah gave away just 14 runs to tilt the game in India’s favour. In the 18th over, in particular, Bumrah nailed his yorkers and bowled low full-tosses, which were also difficult to put away.
“He knew what he wanted to do as soon as he went into bat,” Suryakumar said of Samson. “Even when the wickets fell, he knew the wicket was good, so he kept pressing the pedal. The way he batted, I think the team required that from him. It was all due from last year, all the hard work he was doing and it was a special knock today.”
India will now meet New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
“I mean, it’s an unbelievable feeling, obviously, playing in India, leading such a wonderful side and World Cup happening in India,” Suryakumar said. “Going to Ahmedabad, playing that final, I think it’s a special feeling for all the boys.”
