Is Bumrah in Akram, Marshall's league? ‘Not yet’, says Ex-India star. Here's why | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Is Jasprit Bumrah in Wasim Akram, Malcolm Marshall's league? ‘Not yet’, says Ex-India cricketer. Here's why

Jul 14, 2022 02:47 PM IST

Does the recent success mean Jasprit Bumrah can be put in the same bracket of Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall? Former India batter and now broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar feels "not yet."

Jasprit Bumrah has hit a purple patch. To be honest, he has never been too far from it ever since making his international debut in the 2014-15 Australia tour. But now cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Nasser Hussain believe Bumrah is at the peak of his game and is currently the best all-format bowler in the world. He is outstanding with the new ball, equally good at the death, can make both the red and white ball swing and has a combination of a slower one and a bouncer that can leave even the best of batters scratching their heads. Does that mean he can be put in the same bracket of Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall? Former India batter and now broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar feels "not yet."

India's Jasprit Bumrah(AP)
India's Jasprit Bumrah(AP)

"Not yet, the potential is there but the problem with comparisons is that Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall, these are the guys who have done it over a long period of time and done it in all conditions. These are all-time greats, and we experts are very hard people to please," Manjrekar told Sports18.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Explaining the rationale behind his thought, Manjrekar pointed out that Bumrah has hardly played any Test matches in India. He has to prove his mettle on sub-continent tracks too to be considered an all-time great. Bumrah has picked up 14 wickets in the four Tests that he has played in India so far. The reasons for the number being so low is the Indian team management's thought process of resting Bumrah and keeping him fresh for the away tours.

"Interestingly, if you look at Bumrah and if you see the number of Test matches he has played in India, hardly any. So taking no credit away from him, because India tends to rest him in certain games, but that test is still there for Bumrah," Manjrekar said.

When asked about whether Bumrah is currently the best in world cricket, Manjrekar said "absolutely" before adding the name of Rishabh Pant as India's current best Test batter.

"Absolutely. I was just thinking, currently on form when you look at India's best batter in Test cricket - Rishabh Pant, and Bumrah - your current No. 1 best bowler in maybe all formats, and both these guys are so out of the box with their technique," he added.

"The day he arrived on the T20 scene, that is how he rose to recognition, you could see that this is a smart guy. His background is also typical of guys who are very street-smart in the way they bowl, these are products of competitive soft-ball cricket. He knows where to put the ball to each batter."

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    At HT Sports Desk, passionate reporters work round the clock to provide detailed updates from the world of sports. Expect nuanced match reports, previews,reviews, technical analysis based on statistics, the latest social media trends, expert opinions on cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey,motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics and much more.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On