Jasprit Bumrah is just unplayable, says NZ wicket-keeper Tim Seifert

Though Bumrah picked up just one wicket giving away 21 runs in four overs in the second T20I, his tight bowling kept New Zealand batsmen under check and helped his fellow bowlers gain benefits.

Hamilton: New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert is in awe of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Seifert said the Indian pacer is completely unplayable as New Zealand batsmen are finding him hard to play in the five-match T20I series. Bumrah's subtle variations have been difficult to pick in the ongoing series and Seifert said his side needs to learn a thing or two about finding ways to play the bowler.

India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I in Auckland and took 2-0 lead in five-match series. Though Bumrah picked up just one wicket giving away 21 runs in four overs in the second T20I, his tight bowling kept New Zealand batsmen under check and helped his fellow bowlers gain benefits.

Jasprit Bumrah with captain Virat Kohli.

"Even in the first game, Bumrah bowled slower balls that were going wider. Normally, death bowlers get into straighter lines, plus yorkers and mix it with chest height. He kind of changes things a lot and is tougher to play," Seifert said.

"...the ball was holding a lot more which made it tougher. So sometimes as a batsman, you have to move away from the stumps and see if they bowl straight. I was backing myself to do something different instead of just standing there at the wicket," said the stumper, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 26 balls.

The Jasprit Bumrah impact in NZ.

"It was tricky and the ball was holding a little bit. When Kane (Williamson) got out in the over against Yuzvendra Chahal, we knew it was the over to push because they had Bumrah coming back," he added.

Seifert believes New Zealand bowlers did reasonably well in the two games but they have been outplayed by the Indian batsmen.

"To be honest, in the first game they were 110-1 and they had wickets in hand. We didn't bowl too badly in that first game. In the second game, we only got 130 and it is tough to bowl at Eden Park (with that total)," he said.

Tim Seifert scored unbeaten 33 off 26 in the second T20I.

Asked if New Zealand would want to play on India's strength of chasing, Seifert replied, "Even in ODI cricket, India have chased down big totals but I think on that wicket it was going to get slower and slower.

"But with that small target on Eden Park, something special has to happen with top six (for a collapse). One batsman got fifty and the other was batting very well. We needed top five-six in the first 10 overs," he said.