Jasprit Bumrah is like a cheat code in T20 cricket: Ravichandran Ashwin

Published - 31 May 2025, 19:45 IST | Updated - 31 May 2025, 20:25 IST

Ravichandran Ashwin analysed the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025, where the five-time champions made their way to the Qualifier 2 courtesy of a brilliant 20-run win against Shubman Gill's men. The CSK cricketer praised Jasprit Bumrah and claimed that the match between GT and MI could have been interesting if the 14th over of the innings was not bowled by the speedster.

The former Indian spinner addressed how the required run rate was well in the reach for GT with enough wickets in hand and a set duo of Washington Sundar and B Sai Sudharsan in the middle. In his last over, Bumrah conceded 9 runs, as Rahul Tewatia hit him for a six. Ashwin still claimed it to be a great spell from the unorthodox bowler.

"This game could have gone even closer if Jasprit Bumrah's over didn't happen. The asking rate was like 12, 13, 14, but he gave like 7 or 8 runs in his last two overs. Rahul Tewatia hit him for a six, but still, the way he came back and gave one run in the next two balls, that defines Bumrah," he said on his YouTube channel.

The right-arm spinner regarded Ashwin to be a cheat code in modern-day cricket and compared him to the Road Rash, NFS game. "I had tweeted during the T20 World Cup that Bumrah is a cheat code in today's T20 cricket. Have you ever played this Road Rash, NFS game? It's a cheat code," Ashwin added.

The veteran spinner felt that the right-arm pacer is so good at times that the skipper leading them is at an advantage. He felt Bumrah makes his captain look good by nailing yorkers and slower ones to utmost perfection.

"If you play these games, you can enter a code, and you can run faster. You can beat everyone else. It's a cheat code. In today's world, as a captain, sometimes I feel Jasprit Bumrah makes a captain look better than they actually are. The way he nails those yorkers, changes up his slower balls," the former India cricketer concluded.