T20 World Cup | Jasprit Bumrah’s magical slower ball: The last thing Ryan Rickleton saw was a doorknob turning

Sun Feb 22 14:54:59 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Bumrah’s ‘Doorknob’ Delivery Bamboozles Rickleton in T20 World Cup Clash

The Story:
In a T20 World Cup match between India and South Africa on February 22, 2026, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah unveiled a deceptive slower ball that dismissed South African batsman Ryan Rickleton. The delivery, described as a “doorknob twist,” involved a late, subtle wrist snap that imparted spin and reduced pace without telegraphing the change to the batsman. Rickleton, completely deceived, offered an easy catch to mid-off.

Key Points:

• Jasprit Bumrah bowled a slower delivery to Ryan Rickleton that resulted in his dismissal.
• The delivery involved a unique wrist action described as a “doorknob twist” or “squeezing a lemon.”
• This action preserved arm speed and concealed the change of pace, making it difficult for the batsman to react.
• The delivery is compared to a similar ball Bumrah bowled to Shaun Marsh in the 2018 Boxing Day Test.
• The article highlights the effectiveness of Bumrah’s unconventional technique.

Critical Analysis:
The historical context indicates that India suffered a significant loss to South Africa on the same day. Bumrah’s innovative delivery, while a highlight, occurred within a larger context of defeat. This suggests that while individual brilliance can occur, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee overall team success. The article focuses on a moment of technical mastery within a game where the broader narrative was one of Indian underperformance.

Key Takeaways:

• Individual brilliance can be overshadowed by broader team performance.
• Jasprit Bumrah’s unconventional bowling technique continues to evolve and challenge batsmen.
• Deception and subtle variations are crucial in modern cricket, particularly in the T20 format.
• Adaptability and innovation are key for bowlers to remain effective against increasingly skilled batsmen.

Impact Analysis:
Bumrah’s “doorknob” delivery is likely to be widely analyzed and emulated by other bowlers. It highlights the ongoing quest for innovative techniques in cricket and could influence the development of new variations in bowling. The success of this delivery could also lead to batsmen becoming more cautious and adaptable, further raising the bar for bowlers.

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