Man United fan Jasprit Bumrah copies Marcus Rashford’s celebration after having Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran caught behind in India’s eight-wicket World Cup win

• India star Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of four for 39 against Afghanistan 
• The hosts beat Afghanistan by eight wickets after a sublime Rohit Sharma ton 
• India are next in action against arch-rivals Pakistan and are second in the table 

India star Jasprit Bumrah has emulated Manchester United talisman Marcus Rashford with his wicket celebration in Wednesday’s ODI World Cup clash with Afghanistan. 

Rashford has popularised his own goal celebration, pointing to his brain after netting, thought to emphasise the importance of focus to his craft, with a number of his peers copying him. 

From Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to England bowler Jofra Archer and tennis royalty Novak Djokovic – the ‘Rashford’ has become one of sport’s most frequently seen celebrations. 

Now, after the first of his four wickets for India against Afghanistan, Bumrah has joined their ranks, having openly professed his support for Manchester United in the past. 

With Afghanistan winning the toss and choosing to bat first up, they survived a little over six stagnant overs before Bumrah, so often the man for the big moments for India had opener Ibrahim Zadran caught behind. 

Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah pulled out the Marcus Rashford celebration against Afghanistan

Rashford popularised the celebration last season and it has caught on since then across sport

Getting the ball to come in at Zadran before shaping away, the batter was outfoxed by Bumrah, duly supplying a faint outside edge for the ball to carry through to Indian keeper KL Rahul. 

And after striking the all-important first blow for his side on Wednesday on their way to a comfortable eight-wicket win, Bumrah planted his finger on his temple in honour of Rashford. 

Bumrah actually visited Old Trafford in 2021 after his IPL side Mumbai Indians were knocked out of the competition, where he was presented with a 93 shirt – his number for India. 

‘It’s unreal. As a child, when I used to watch the Premier League on the television, I’ve always seen this stadium. But to see it up front and at close quarters, is great.

‘This dressing room, it feels really good to see all these jerseys, and I’ve got my own jersey now, sitting next to Anthony Martial, which is great!

‘It’s an unreal feeling, and I wish I could just stay here and watch and learn and know a lot more about it [the club].’

The all-star fast bowler went on to take another three wickets, claiming the scalps of Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan in the final four overs.

Bumrah ended the game with figures of four for 39, with an economy of just 3.90 as he once again led the attack admirably for the hosts and favourites. 

Bumrah took four wickets for the hosts against Afghanistan including the first breakthrough

India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets with captain Rohit Sharma hitting 131 off 84 balls

The Indian quick is second in the standings for wickets taken, with his six behind only Mitchell Santner’s seven, with the New Zealand spinner also the only player with better figures in a match. 

That Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the only two bowlers with a better economy highlights just how strong India’s bowling attack is at the tournament, as well as their well-stocked arsenal. 

India are next in action against arch-rivals Pakistan in probably the most highly-anticipated clash of the entire tournament, with Pakistan set to play ODI cricket in neighbouring India for the first time since a victorious tour in 2012-13.

India are second in the current table behind only New Zealand, with the Black Caps leading the way by virtue of a superior run rate.  

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