Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best bowler in the world, according to former South African pacer Vernon Philander, following an array of spectacular performances following his eagerly anticipated return in August 2023. Jasprit Bumrah silenced all the critics by bowling thunderbolts and hardly gave any freebies in both the innings.
Following his nine-wicket performance in the second Test against England in Vishakapatnam, the right-arm pacer recently made history by becoming the first bowler from India to appear at the top of the ICC Rankings for Test bowlers.
In the first two Test matches against England, Bumrah has claimed 16 wickets, an incredible feat given the regular subcontinental conditions of the cricket field. With his characteristic odd yorker, surprise cutters, and amazing reverse swing bowling, he has caused havoc for the visiting team.
Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete bowler at the moment – Vernon Philander heaps praise on Indian bowler
Since his comeback, Jasprit Bumrah—possibly already one of the best pacers the country has ever produced—has been wreaking havoc in all formats. Leading the Indian bowling attack, he will undoubtedly be vital to India’s success in the remaining parts of the current series against England and in upcoming tournaments, such as the vital T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies in 2024.
During the SA T20 Tournament, Philander praised Jasprit Bumrah’s versatile bowling ability in an interview with “PTI Bhasha.” He attributed his success to a blend of superior ability and improved consistency.
“Bumrah is the (most) complete bowler at the moment. He has got magnificent skills and he has also learnt the trade of holding a line and length and that is the reason behind his success at the Test level,” Philander said.
“Initially, he wanted to bowl wicket-taking deliveries all the time and leaked runs but now he has learnt consistency,” he added.
That is the skill set you want in the T20 World Cup- Vernon Philander on Jasprit Bumrah’s importance in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah would have had a significant influence on the events had he been there at the previous T20 World Cup in Australia. The Men in Blue failed to have Bumrah when it counted most during the tournament, even though the pace department performed admirably overall.
Barring any unfavorable injury concerns, the pacer will spearhead the Indian seam attack this time around as they attempt to break their ten-year ICC silverware drought, having come agonizingly close on several previous occasions.
Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to use variations and trick players with subtle change-ups was emphasized by the former South African pacer. These skills are crucial in the intensely competitive T20 cricket tournament.
“He swings the new ball, brings the stumps into the play, and challenges the batters upfront. He is phenomenal with those change-ups and lethal yorkers and that is the skill set you want in the T20 World Cup. I feel he is going to play a massive part in the tournament and perhaps also be the best seamer,” Philander elaborated.
In August 2023, Bumrah led the team during their away series against Ireland, which was also his final T20 participation. After playing seven Test matches, he will be playing in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in an attempt to get into the groove of the shorter format.