Aaqib Javed, Pakistan cricket’s senior selector and former pacer, on Saturday said fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah possesses a unique bowling action that does not allow batters to settle into a rhythm, but he oddly compared the Indian with Usman Tariq, the mystery spinner who featured in the recent T20 World Cup.

Usman was tipped to torment opposition batters in the World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka recently, but the Pakistan spinner endured a largely quiet tournament as the team failed to progress to the semifinals after being eliminated in the Super Eights stage.

In contrast, India’s bowling stalwart Bumrah played a pivotal role in the team’s title triumph, particularly with decisive performances in the semifinal and the final.

Aaqib Javed’s Justification

Trying to defend Usman’s below-par showing, Aaqib said, “You look at this entire T20 World Cup — there is only one bowler, Bumrah, who is also now going for runs. Because he doesn’t have a normal action and has a different bowling action, he doesn’t allow batters to gain rhythm or get into a flow. I would say he is fast bowling’s Usman Tariq.”

Social Media Backlash

Aaqib’s remarks drew criticism from cricket fans on social media, many of whom mocked the comparison between Bumrah and Usman.

One user said it was difficult to compare a spinner and a fast bowler, pointing out the vast difference in experience and achievements between Bumrah and Usman.

Bumrah has played 95 T20 Internationals and taken 121 wickets, while Usman has featured in only nine matches, claiming 18 scalps.

Likening India’s current winning streak to the unstoppable Australian teams of the past, ICC chairman Jay Shah stated on Saturday that the name ‘Team India’ is now a definitive marker of triumph in world cricket.

The Indian men’s team recently became the first side to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title, beating New Zealand in a one-sided final in Ahmedabad. In November, the women’s side won their maiden World Cup.

Reflecting on India’s presence in the global game, Shah said during a private awards function, “Just as there was a time when Australia meant victory, today, Team India means victory. That has become the reality now.” Shah, who has served as the BCCI’s secretary before going to the ICC, was honoured for his exceptional contribution in the field of sports.

Shah dedicated the award to the athletes for their hard work on the field.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all the athletes, especially the women athletes who are working hard on the field,” Shah said.

The ICC chief also congratulated Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir for the Indian team’s triumph last week, and also praised all the semifinalists.

“I want to congratulate Surya, Gautam Gambhir, and all the players of Team India. I also want to congratulate not just Team India, but also the South African team and the England team, who did not lose a single game before the knockout stage.

“And finally, the finalist, the New Zealand cricket team, for the way they performed and worked hard on the field. Congratulations to them as well,” Shah said.

Shah also listed Indian cricket’s achievements since he took charge as the secretary of the BCCI in 2019.

“From 2019, when I joined the BCCI, to 2026, in these seven years, Team India has won two Under-19 Men’s World Cups, two Under-19 Women’s World Cups, finished as runners-up in the WTC final once, runners-up in the ODI World Cup once, won two consecutive T20 World Cups, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. This is a huge achievement. I congratulate you all for that.

“I remember this because I have been following cricket since 1998, and as an administrator, I have been handling cricket since 2009.” Shah also advised the Indian team to keep working hard with the same zeal and passion that helped them achieve success in recent years.

“Through Gautam bhai, Surya, and this platform, I want to give a message to the entire team again. For me, in my seventeen years as an administrator, I’ve learned that it takes months to go from the top to the bottom, but it takes years to go from the bottom to the top.

“For you (the players), you just have to sustain your performance; it’s relatively easy. So, work as hard as you have been, so that you keep receiving awards every year,” he said.

“When I was in the BCCI, I had planned up until the 2028 Olympics. But then Surya took charge as captain, and I came to the ICC.

“New people have come in my place at the BCCI. All of you together need to prepare for the 2030 & 2032 games, and you know where the 2036 Olympics will be held. So, prepare for that as well.”

Kolkata Knight Riders “took the wrong decision” by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave after their title-winning campaign in 2024, and unless the three-time IPL champions understand the importance of retaining key players, they cannot be considered serious title contenders, cautioned the legendary Anil Kumble.

Iyer exited KKR to join Punjab Kings, whom he led to their first appearance in the IPL final in nearly a decade in the last edition, while Phil Salt — another vital cog in KKR’s success in 2024 — moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he played an impactful role in the franchise’s maiden title win last year.

“Two years ago, KKR won the IPL and lifted their third trophy. Two important cogs in that wheel were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both played crucial roles in helping them win but KKR let both of them go,” Kumble noted in a JioHotstar release.

“There is no consistency from them in terms of player retention. KKR took the wrong decision by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave (and) that has left them without an IPL-winning captain.”

Kumble noted that even though KKR have an experienced campaigner in Ajinkya Rahane as their skipper, he has not yet won the IPL as a captain.

“Yes, Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced campaigner. He has led Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. But he has not lifted the IPL title as (a) captain (yet),” Kumble said.

“Having a skipper who has won the trophy gives you an advantage. KKR let go of that advantage. They need to learn how to keep hold of their key players. Otherwise, they will keep struggling and cannot be considered favourites to win the trophy,” the legendary spinner added.

Kumble Praises Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership

The former India captain heaped praise on Iyer’s leadership qualities for guiding Punjab Kings into the IPL final last year.

“Shreyas Iyer is certainly an underrated skipper. It is not easy to win a trophy with one franchise and then go to another. There is a different management, atmosphere and a team. The pressure is also different,” he noted.

“…the new franchise he joined had not played in the final in the last 10 years and in just his first season with the Punjab Kings, he took them to the final. I was not just impressed by his captaincy, but (also with) the way he led the team from the front.”

“There are some players who have to prove themselves every time. Shreyas is like that. Even after performing, questions still come up. I think he is underrated, but is an exceptional leader.”