Indian star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised pacer Jasprit Bumrah for his strong work ethic, consistent ability to bowl at high speeds in challenging heat, and his overall influence on the game. Ashwin’s remarks followed Bumrah’s recent claim of being the fittest Indian cricketer, which sparked some controversy.
When asked to name the fittest Indian cricketer at a recent press conference, Bumrah sensed that the reporter was expecting him to mention Virat Kohli. However, he replied by stating (according to Hindustan Times):
“I know the answer you are searching for, but I would like to say my name, because I am a fast bowler. Being a fast bowler and playing in this country in the heat takes a lot of requirement. So I will always promote a fast bowler.”
While conversing with journalist Vimal Kumar and Ashwath Bobo on his Hindi YouTube channel titled ‘Ash ki Baat,’ Ashwin lashed out at the media for their derogatory comments on Jasprit Bumrah. He of course spoke in reference to the right-arm fast bowler’s contributions to the game.
In the past twenty to thirty years, there has not been any other Indian bowler of such roaring success, the fast bowler claimed as he cited the example of Kapil Dev. Ravichandran Ashwin further stated:
“Jasprit Bumrah is a fast bowler. He keeps bowling 145 km/h. He is a crowned jewel of Indian cricket. And He is the Kohinoor diamond of Indian cricket. Let him say whatever he wants. After Kapil Dev, has there been an Indian bowler bigger than Bumrah?”
“People want to say that he got injured, how is he the fittest cricketer? There is a lot of difference. One is a tipper lorry and one is a Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz can be driven carefully, it’s chauffeur-driven.”
“Tipper Lorry has to move from north to south with so much load. A fast bowler is a tipper lorry, they will break down. He has come back from a stress fracture and is bowling at 145 km/h. Give him credit,” the off spinner added.
"Bumrah Indian cricket ka crowned jewel hai
Woh jo bolna chah rha hai usko bolne do yaar"Ash anna on that fittest cricketer remark and "clown crying" about that😹 pic.twitter.com/Y7u4QI17qo
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) September 23, 2024
Tamim Iqbal praises Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the first Test between India and Bangladesh in 2024
Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladeshi cricketer, feels that Ravichandran Ashwin’s contribution to Indian cricket must be acknowledged. Iqbal was a commentator for the first Test between India and Bangladesh hosted in Chennai. During the match, Ashwin took five wickets and scored a century contributing to India’s 280 run victory.
“What I always hear is Virat Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas, but Ravichandran Ashwin is equally important in my eyes. We only talk about when they do well; when they get the hundreds, they get five-six wickets. But their contribution to this Indian team is immense. It’s as big as Rohit, as big as Virat Kohli,” Tamim Iqbal said [via Republic World].
On September 27, Ashwin will be heading back to the field in the second and last test match of the series that will be played in Kanpur.
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