Former Indian cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji has praised Jasprit Bumrah as Asia’s top fast bowler since Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. Balaji sees Bumrah potentially achieving greatness in the next decade, particularly if he contributes to India winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
Balaji highlighted how Wasim attained legendary status through his performances and drew parallels between Bumrah and the former Pakistani paceman. Here’s what Balaji told the Hindustan Times about Jasprit Bumrah and Wasim Akram:
“Wasim bhai, the ultimate. Bumrah is the next best in our continent only after him. I feel this is the right time for Bumrah to chase greatness over the next decade, particularly if he can single-handedly win India this World Cup. They both have identical traits, they have changed the dynamics of fast bowling. Their upper bodies are strong, they have hardly any follow-through.”
Balaji believes that Wasim Akram’s and Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to generate dangerous deliveries, even on unhelpful pitches, is attributed to their upper body strength.
Jasprit Bumrah is currently the most well-rounded fast bowler: Balaji
Lakshmipathy Balaji is certain that Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete fast bowler in world cricket currently. According to the former Indian pacer, Bumrah consistently performs well in any phase of the game or format.
In the same interview, he further said: “He (Bumrah) is just the most complete fast bowler right now. Look at him — Test cricket, white-ball cricket, doesn’t matter. New ball, he will get the job done. Old ball, he can reverse it phenomenally. Middle-overs in limited-overs games, his variations and his repertoire make him a wicket-taker, not someone who just contains the flow of runs.”
As a former pacer himself, Balaji understands the significant impact that major surgery can have on a fast bowler’s confidence and pace. He highlighted that Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback from lower-back surgery is particularly remarkable.
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