Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain, has showered praise on Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah for his remarkable bowling performances in the first two Tests against England. Jasprit Bumrah‘s spell in both the innings proved to be the difference in the end as he bowled immaculate line & length.
Following a commendable six-wicket haul in the initial Test held in Hyderabad, Bumrah showcased an exceptional display of fast bowling in the subsequent match in Visakhapatnam. In that encounter, the 30-year-old claimed figures of 6/45 in the first innings and 3/46 in the second, playing a pivotal role in India’s 106-run triumph and helping them draw level in the five-match series, which now stands at 1-1.
Jasprit Bumrah is a freak- Michael Clarke
During his discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Clarke expressed admiration for Bumrah’s ability to excel on pitches that are traditionally not conducive to fast bowling, such as those found in India.
“What can you say, he’s a freak. It’s unbelievable his skills in conditions that are never conducive for fast bowling. He’s just a freak,” said Clarke.
It’s difficult– Aaron Finch on Playing against Jasprit Bumrah
Aaron Finch, another former Australian skipper, elaborated on the challenges batsmen face when encountering Jasprit Bumrah, remarking that
“It’s difficult. He has got pace but also gets bounce and can lull you into a false sense of security with his run up and just ambling up to the crease. He has got such beautiful wrists, can move the ball both ways and then uses that yorker so effectively like we saw against Ollie Pope in the first innings,”
Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award in India’s series-leveling victory in the second Test against England. Additionally, Bumrah’s outstanding display propelled him to the top spot in the latest ICC bowler rankings for Tests.
It’s the late release point which makes it less time to react for the batter– Callum Ferguson on Jasprit Bumrah
Callum Ferguson highlighted Jasprit Bumrah’s late release point as a significant challenge for batters, as it provides them with less reaction time to adjust.
In the second Test, Bumrah’s exceptional performance also saw him achieve the milestone of becoming the fastest Indian pacer to claim 150 Test wickets.
“His pace hasn’t dropped off at all. The ability to be consistent with a reverse swinging ball is extraordinary because a lot of bowlers struggle to get it exactly on line. But he doesn’t miss and gives you no room to move. And it’s the late release point which makes it less time to react for the batter. He’s an extraordinary competitor,” said Ferguson on ESPNcricinfo.
Jasprit Bumrah’s achievement of becoming the second-fastest Asian pacer to claim 150 Test wickets, behind the legendary Waqar Younis, underscores his remarkable impact in Test cricket. With an impressive tally of 155 wickets in just 34 Tests at an outstanding average of 20.19, which includes 10 five-wicket hauls, Bumrah has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world.
His ascent to the pinnacle of the ICC rankings in all three formats further solidifies his status as one of the game’s elite cricketers, showcasing his versatility and dominance across different formats of the game.