Jasprit Bumrah has Shane Bond's backing for the Champions Trophy

Indian Premier Leauge’s (IPL) table-toppers Mumbai Indians have to thank the death-over specialist Indian quickie Jasprit Bumrah for helping them cross the line many a time. The franchise’s bowling coach and former Kiwi quick Shane Bond feels that the right-arm fast bowler should be included in the squad for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for later this year.

Bumrah has grabbed the opportunity by its neck and has not seen a dip in form despite bowling over a hundred overs in the limited-overs format of the game. The Kiwi has backed the bowler on numerous occasions after Bumrah’s debut for the Mumbai side.

“I will be surprised if he is not in it (the squad). He will be a good bowler in all formats. At the moment he is a good ODI and T20 bowler,” the former New Zealand fast bowler said on Tuesday.

Bumrah has been the death-over specialist for the Mumbai Indians’ in the absence of the Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga. The right-arm sling bowler has had a very indifferent start to this year’s tournament, blowing hot and cold at the same time.

Meanwhile, the Indian youngster has been their second-highest wicket-taker after the Kiwi Mitchell McCleneghan, who has picked up 12 wickets in the tournament followed by Bumrah with nine wickets. The Gujarat-lad has played for the national team as recently as in January against the visiting English side. He has captured 22 wickets in his 11 appearances thus far in the Blue Jersey.

“India have been playing their cricket at home. (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja are phenomenal in these conditions. But it has allowed the seam bowlers to come and make real impact and bowl quick. Umesh (Yadav) has developed as a bowler.”

“Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) hasn’t played much and the benefits of his rest can be seen as his pace has come up again. So, when India (play) away from home, they have got a seam bowling attack which is going to be a handful, given the right conditions,” said the 41-year-old from Christchurch.

The former Kiwi fast bowler also appreciated the Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his commendable middle over bowling partnership with Bumrah.

His appreciation for Pandya was no more restricted to just his batting skills, with Bond crediting the way the all-rounder has bowled in the middle overs picking up crucial wickets for the Paltan.