‘He is India’s greatest fast bowler’ – Australian players praise Jasprit Bumrah (Photo Source: BCCI)
Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has earned massive praise from cricket legends and opponents for his unique bowling style and consistent performances. His recent heroics in the ongoing Test series against Australia have placed him on the list of fast-bowling greats.
The 31-year-old recently became India’s leading Test wicket-taker on Australian soil, surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev with 53 wickets in Australia at an average of 17.15. His impact is brilliant, especially against Australia’s top seven batters, where he has a brilliant average of 9.81. In the ongoing series, the speedster has already picked 21 wickets in six innings.
In the third Test in Brisbane, Bumrah delivered an exceptional performance, claiming nine wickets across both innings. This feat placed him atop the charts in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with 66 wickets, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin. Bumrah’s ability to dismantle batting line-ups has received praise from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
“I think he is India’s greatest fast bowler. In T20 cricket, one-day cricket, and Test match cricket, he’s clearly the best right now,” Ponting said as quoted by TOI.
Also Read: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah sends Usman Khawaja packing with peach of a delivery
He’s like a slingshot loading up and letting go: Josh Hazlewood
Australian batter Travis Head also shared similar thoughts, calling Bumrah one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game. Head, who struggled against Bumrah’s spells, admitted it was an honour to face such a bowler. “Jasprit is probably going to go down as one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game,” said Head.
On the other hand, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood mentioned Bumrah’s ability to release the ball late, making him deceptively quicker than his speed gun readings.
“If you haven’t faced him before, it can really unsettle you. He lets the ball go way out in front, so he’s pretty much half a yard quicker than what the actual speed gun says. He’s like a slingshot loading up and letting go,” Hazlewood said.