‘Like having a genie’ – Former South Africa captain hails Jasprit Bumrah for magical semi-final spell against England

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has showered praise on India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah after his bowling masterclass at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 5. India defeated England to book their spot in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. 

Speaking after India team’s epic win in the semifinal of the marquee event, du Plessis hailed Bumrah as “superpower every captain dreams of having” after his stunning bowling display in the death overs against the Three Lions.

“Team India don’t understand how lucky they are to have him [Bumrah] in their ranks. It is just proven time and time and time again, regardless of the format, you just give him the ball and he wins you games. It’s a superpower that any captain will dream of; it’s like having a genie, you just rub the lamp and out comes Bumrah,” du Plessis said on ESPNcricinfo.

Coming in to bowl the 18th over when Jacob Bethell was going all guns blazing, the right-hand pacer delivered a masterclass of death-over bowling. He nailed his yorkers to the English duo of Bethell and Sam Curran, giving away just six runs.

“That last over [18th of the innings], they know it is going to be full, yorker or slower ball. That’s generally what you will be getting. And he bowled two low full tosses in the over and both of those balls, Sam Curran was late on the ball. Any other bowler missing in length like that goes for six. [Shivam] Dube bowled that in the last over and he gets pumped for six,” du Plessis said.

The former Chennai Super Kings opener further went on to salute Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant captaincy under pressure. Despite picking up early wickets, the Men in Blue were put under immense pressure by the English left-hander, who scored 105 runs. The way Suryakumar used Bumrah’s services deserves praise, according to du Plessis.

“And I thought today they used him perfectly; good captaincy, good leadership. When the game was about getting him into the mix and bring the run rate down and try and get wickets, they used him at the perfect overs. It is easy on the side, thinking no pressure and I was like: spot-on captaincy,” du Plessis concluded.

The co-hosts will now face New Zealand in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad on March 8. Sanju Samson was given the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock of 89 runs off 42 balls.