Bumrah, Kumar are world's best death bowlers: Rohit

They are often the architects of India’s limited overs wins and Sunday was no different as both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struck centuries to lead the charge against New Zealand but the Indian captain-vice captain duo feel the laurels must go to seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

New Delhi: They are often the architects of India’s limited overs wins and Sunday was no different as both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struck centuries to lead the charge against New Zealand but the Indian captain-vice captain duo feel the laurels must go to seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

Rohit, who smashed 147 and stitched a record breaking 230-run stand with captain Virat Kohli at Green Park went to the extent of terming Kumar and Bumrah as the best death bowlers in the world and said India could not have won seven bilateral ODI series in a row without Kumar and Bumrah.

"I think we have the two best death bowlers. If you look at the last series against Australia, the way they have bowled, you have to praise them a lot. Because if you look at Australia's batting, with their power hitting, those were the two bowlers who got us back most of the times," said Rohit after India sealed the series 2-1.

"Even in this match there was so much dew, the ball was wet to be able to defend on that kind of wicket, with two set batsmen. We are talking about two best death bowlers in world currently. On this wicket, in these conditions, 35 required in four overs, it should have been made easily. It's only because of these two that we could pull the game back."

In the previous series against Australia, their captain Steve Smith too had rated Bumrah and Kumar among the best in the business.

While Kumar proved expensive in the series decider against New Zealand, Bumrah bowled brilliantly in the death overs to stop the visitors at 331 for seven in response to India's 337 for six.

New Zealand, needing 30 off the last 18 balls with five wickets in hand, were on course for a famous series win before Bumrah dashed their hopes with a match-winning spell last night.

Kumar, who had a rare off day delivered when it mattered by cleaning up a well settled Henry Nicholls to bring India right back in the game. He also bowled a decent penultimate over, giving away only 10 runs to choke the kiwis.

Indian captain Virat Kohli, who broke two world records – fastest to 9000 ODI runs and most runs in a calendar year by a captain lauded his bowlers for the series win.

"To be fair to the bowlers: the wicket eased out nicely. The ball was coming onto the bat beautifully. But glad the bowlers came out on top: it was like a knock out game for us, and the boys showed their character," Kohli said at the post- match presentation.