Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the greatest all-format fast bowler in cricket history, following his stellar performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah claimed 32 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.06 before being sidelined with an injury during Australia's first innings in the final Test at the SCG.
Despite India securing a narrow four-run lead in Bumrah’s absence, Australia chased down 162 runs on the third day to win the series 3-1. Bumrah fell just two wickets short of equaling Sydney Barnes' 1911-12 record of 34 wickets in a single series by a touring pacer in Australia.
Reflecting on Bumrah's impact, Clarke told ESPN's Around The Wicket: "When I think about Bumrah's performances, I truly believe he is the best fast bowler ever across all three formats. Legends like Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath didn’t play T20s, so in the context of modern cricket, Bumrah stands apart. He excels in any conditions and any format. This guy is a freak of nature."
Bumrah showcased his brilliance throughout the series, dismantling Australia with eight wickets in Perth, a six-wicket haul at the Gabba, and a crucial burst on the fourth afternoon of the MCG Test. At the SCG, he dismissed Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early but was forced off the field after lunch on the second day, leaving the match in the balance.
Clarke believed Bumrah's absence tipped the scales in Australia’s favor. "India were probably 20 runs short in Sydney," Clarke said. "With a 180-run lead and Bumrah in the attack, I think India would have won. He’s just so much better than the other bowlers in the team."
Among India's other quicks, Mohammed Siraj took 20 wickets at an average of 31.15, while Prasidh Krishna's six wickets in Sydney hinted at potential missed opportunities earlier in the series. Despite these contributions, Australia's persistence against Bumrah paid off.
Australia’s Aaron Finch explained their approach, saying, "We played the long game with Bumrah, forcing him to bowl repeatedly. Ultimately, it worked. They broke him in the end. Would we still have won in Sydney if he’d bowled in the final innings? Perhaps, but it would have been much tougher."
Bumrah’s performance remains a testament to his dominance across all formats, with many echoing Clarke’s sentiment about his greatness.
Updated on 8th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.