Jasprit Bumrah wins ‘impact player of the match’ medal as India beat WI to reach semi-finals

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged the ‘Impact Player of the Match’ after a decisive spell helped restrict West Indies before Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 powered the defending champions to a crucial win in their T20 World Cup clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

Though his figures of 2/36 from four overs may not appear extraordinary on paper, the timing of Bumrah’s breakthroughs proved decisive. In the 12th over, just as West Indies were preparing to accelerate, he dismissed the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase in quick succession, shifting the momentum firmly in India’s favour.

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The twin strikes exposed the Caribbean middle order and ensured the opposition fell short of the 200-mark despite late resistance from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder, eventually finishing on 195/4.

Presenting the medal, India fielding coach T. Dilip praised the team’s collective intensity while highlighting Bumrah’s calmness in pressure situations.

“The impact player goes to someone who owns the big moments most of the times with his calm face and deadly execution. He’s none other than Jasprit Bumrah,” Dilip said.

Bumrah, in turn, credited his teammates for holding their nerve during the chase. “Special mention to Dube as well, the two fours that he hit didn’t let the pressure come into our team. Tilak also played a great knock. Come the big day, we’re off to get together and hopefully do well in Mumbai,” he said.

‘Jasprit Bumrah is a cheat code’: Abhishek Nayar

Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar described Bumrah as a “cheat code” who consistently delivers, regardless of the phase of the game.

“You bring him with the new ball, in the middle overs, or at the death. He never disappoints. He always delivers. The wicket of Shimron Hetmyer set it up for India,” Nayar said on Star Sports.

He particularly praised Bumrah’s execution under pressure, noting that dismissing two set batters in one over demoralised the opposition and effectively broke the back of the West Indies innings.

Echoing similar sentiments, former India opener Aakash Chopra called Bumrah a “genius” and a “national treasure”, adding that his figures did not fully capture his impact on the game.

India eventually chased down the target, courtesy of Samson’s unbeaten 97, sealing a five-wicket victory and booking a semi-final clash against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

With both bowling discipline and batting composure on display, India continued their strong run in the tournament, with Bumrah once again proving why he remains their go-to man in crunch moments.