Last Updated:
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs on Sunday (March 8) in Ahmedabad to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title for the record-extending third time.
Shahid Afridi gives speical mention to Jasprit Bumrah for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title win. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
Legendary all-rounder and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has praised India for becoming the first team in the world to defend ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. In a video posted on X after India crushed New Zealand by 96 runs on Sunday (March 8) to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title, Afridi stated that India deserved to win the title, and he gave a special mention to star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah played a big role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title win. In the night of the final, the 32-year-old fast bowler from Ahmedabad bowled four overs and picked up 4 wickets for just 15 runs.
According to Afridi, Bumrah is one of the best bowlers, who has carried India on his back for a long time with his impressive performances.
“The World Cup is over. I think India deserved the title. They have a great team combination. The players sitting on the bench were also as good as the playing XI. This is why I say that your bench needs to be strong. India’s bench was very strong; they could have picked anyone from there and slotted them into the playing XI. They played the whole tournament as champions,” Afridi said in a video on his X account.
“Sanju Samson was outstanding. He got the opportunity and he delivered with his sensible hitting and his ability to build the innings. Abhishek Sharma also performed well tonight. Ishan Kishan also performed outstandingly, just like he had performed against Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah was the backbone of their bowling who has carried India on his back for a long time with his impressive performances. Be it with the new ball, old ball, slower one or yorker, he is one of the best bowlers in my opinion,” he added.
Apart from Afridi, former Pakistan skipper Javed Miandad has also praised India for their title win. According to Miandad, India is reaping the benefits of a strong process-driven cricket structure.
“Their team (India) is now reaping the benefits of a strong process-driven cricket structure,” Miandad said.
“If you look at the talent they are producing now, it is because of their strong structure. They are not short on batters, spinners or fast bowlers, and their young players are result-driven and have game awareness,” he added.
March 10, 2026, 07:40 IST
Read More
