Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performance in India’s commanding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy firmly re-established his place as the best bowler in the world. Nasser Hussain, former captain of England, expressed relief that he never had to face Bumrah as a player, acknowledging the sheer skill and impact the Indian pacer brings to the game.
Reflecting on the build-up to the match
Hussain noted a curious observation: while the spotlight was heavily focused on India’s batting struggles—especially the underperformance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following their humiliating 0-3 defeat to New Zealand—the mention of Jasprit was conspicuously limited. Hussain wondered why Jasprit wasn’t being discussed as much as other aspects of India’s game, despite his undeniable influence on the field.
Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, Highlighted How
Jasprit all-around mastery was somewhat overlooked in the lead-up to the first Test against Australia. Hussain reflected on how much of the pre-match discussion was dominated by India’s batting woes, especially the absence of key figures like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and the overall balance of the team. He observed, “As I watched Bumrah at the press conference, the conversation was all about Kohli, Rohit, the balance of the Indian team, and Steve Smith.. It seems like batters always end up stealing the spotlight.”
Despite India’s early batting collapse, being dismissed for just 150, Jasprit, standing in as captain for Rohit Sharma, turned the match on its head. His stunning bowling performance of 5/30 ripped through Australia, who were skittled for just 104. India then took control with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kohli, alongside a formidable 201-run opening partnership between Jaiswal and KL Rahul, setting a daunting target of 534 for Australia. Bumrah continued to shine, claiming three more wickets as Australia were eventually dismissed for 238, securing India’s dominant victory.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Career Bowling
Average of 20.06 is nothing short of extraordinary, placing him second only to the legendary Sydney Barnes among bowlers who have taken at least 150 Test wickets. Remarkably, Jasprit’s average is the best of any bowler in the post-World War II era, with Barnes, who played between 1901 and 1914, holding the record with a staggering 16.43 from 189 wickets in 27 Test matches.
Barnes’ first-class record is equally mind-blowing, having taken 719 wickets in 133 matches at an average of just 17.09. Bumrah, in comparison, has claimed 181 wickets in 41 Tests, maintaining his impressive average of 20.06. While these two bowlers’ records are comparable in terms of efficiency, the contexts of their careers are vastly different. Bumrah plays in an era where batting has become increasingly dominant, yet his stats remain elite.
Nasser Hussain, impressed by Bumrah’s remarkable consistency, stated, “When you look at Bumrah’s numbers, he’s right there with Sydney Barnes, isn’t he? To maintain an average under 20 for such an extended period is truly extraordinary.” He is the best all-format bowler in the world, bar none.” Bumrah’s ability to dominate across all formats cements his legacy as one of the finest bowlers of the modern era, challenging the greats from any time period.
