Not Jasprit Bumrah: MI coach calls this bowler as team's 'X-factor'
The 20-year-old spinner came under focus after conceding 51 runs in Mumbai Indians’ opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders, but Jayawardene backed him as a long-term prospect.
While Jasprit Bumrah has been MI's cheat code and the go-to man whenever the team has been in trouble, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jaywardene on Friday backed young Afghan mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar, saying having an X-factor bowler like him in the squad gives the team an added edge across conditions. The 20-year-old spinner came under spotlight after conceding 51 runs in Mumbai Indians’ opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders, but Jayawardene backed him as a long-term prospect. "I think he is one for the future.
We feel that with his height what we see what he can do. He will improve," Jayawardene said ahead of Mumbai Indians’ match against Delhi Capitals. "He needs more game time obviously leading up to that.
He was supposed to play against Sri Lanka but that tournament got cancelled. So I am not worried. I think he bowled well.
He had 4-5 bad deliveries in that entire match which got him. " Jayawardene said having a bowler like Ghazanfar adds another option to the squad alongside Mitchell Santner, Will Jacks and Mayank Markande. "To have that X-factor bowler within our group.