India’s veteran batter Virat Kohli lauded Jasprit Bumrah after the players received a hero’s welcome in the country on Thursday. The Marine Drive was packed with Indian fans and so was the Wankhede Stadium to give a standing ovation to the team.

Bumrah bowled a superb spell of 2-18 in the high-octane final against Proteas as India was able to defend the target of 177, registering a thrilling seven-run win to win their second T20 World Cup title. The fast bowler accounted for Reeza Hendricks and Marco Jansen in his match-winning spell.

The gun fast bowler was at his absolute best throughout the World Cup and delivered at both ends of the innings. Bumrah bagged 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17 in the eight matches of the T20I showpiece as he came up with consistent performances.

Bumrah returned with figures of 2-6 in the opening game against Ireland and then bowled a match-winning spell of 3-14 against arch-rivals Pakistan. The Indian pack leader picked 2-12 in the semifinal against England.

While speaking to the host broadcaster during the felicitation at the Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli said, “I will sign the petition right now. Let him decide what to do with the schedule. We want him to play as long as possible. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler and we are so glad he plays for us.”

Kohli asked the Indian fans to applaud Bumrah for his sensational spell in the final. The Rainbow Nation needed a run-a-ball 30 but Bumrah dismissed Marco Jansen and conceded only six runs in his last two overs.

Kohli said, “I would like everyone to applaud a guy who brought us back in the game again, again and again. What he did in those last five overs by bowling two out of those was just phenomenal. A huge round of applause for Jasprit Bumrah please.”

There is no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah is currently one of the best bowlers in the world, across all three formats.