(AFP Photo)

Former Indian cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, hailing him as the most complete fast bowler in today’s cricket following his outstanding performance for Team India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Despite facing setbacks such as a stress reaction in his back, which required surgery in New Zealand last March and sidelined him for six months, Bumrah has made a remarkable comeback. His return has been marked by exceptional performances across formats, showcasing his skill and dominance against diverse opponents.

Lakshmipathy Balaji praised Jasprit Bumrah’s prowess across cricket formats, highlighting his consistency and effectiveness. According to the former Indian pacer, Bumrah excels in both Test cricket and white-ball formats, consistently delivering outstanding performances.

Balaji emphasized Bumrah’s ability to strike early with the new ball and his unmatched skill in reverse swing with the old ball. In white-ball cricket, Bumrah’s variations and extensive repertoire not only stem the run flow but also make him a potent wicket-taker for India. This has been evident in his standout performances during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean.

Drawing comparisons, Balaji likened Bumrah to the legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram. He suggested that if Bumrah leads India to victory in the current T20 World Cup, it would cement his legacy as Asia’s second-greatest fast bowler after Akram.

According to the Hindustan Times, Lakshmipathy Balaji remarked, “If Bumrah can lead India to victory in this T20 World Cup, it will solidify his legacy as Asia’s second-best fast bowler after Wasim Akram. Wasim Bhai is the ultimate. Both Bumrah and Akram have similar traits; they’ve transformed the dynamics of fast bowling.”

Balaji drew comparisons between Bumrah and Akram, noting their shared ability to innovate fast bowling by relying less on traditional lower-body strength, unlike renowned figures like Dennis Lillee and Malcolm Marshall.

The cricket expert observed that both Akram and Bumrah utilize the strength of their upper bodies, unlike Australian or West Indies bowlers, to pose challenges for batsmen.

Balaji said , “Historically, if you see, great fast bowlers use their lower body to gain momentum with their run-up, with their explosive approach to the crease that helps them generate ultimate pace—the Dennis Lillees, the Michael Holdings, the Malcolm Marshalls.”

He elaborated that Asian bowlers typically lack the lower-body strength seen in Australians or West Indians, yet both Wasim and Bumrah have leveraged skill over athleticism to excel as formidable fast bowlers.

Balaji, the bowling coach for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), asserted that Jasprit Bumrah ranks as the next best fast bowler on the continent after Wasim Akram. He noted that both Bumrah and Akram rely on their strong upper bodies and minimal follow-through, differing from bowlers from other regions who emphasize their run-up for added momentum.

Balaji added, “Everything happens from their hand to their wrist; the bowling arm is dominant, and they do everything with the bowling arm alone—the accuracy, the Yorker, the pace and changes of pace, the changes in angle—which is why they are able to take the pitch and the conditions out of the equation. Even on the most docile surface, they bring something extra with the ball because of the work they do with their upper body.”

The ex-Indian pacer reaffirmed that Jasprit Bumrah stands as the second-best fast bowler in the subcontinent after the former Pakistani captain. Balaji further implied that Bumrah, similar to Akram, possesses the potential to attain greatness in the coming decade, especially if he contributes to India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Balaji signed off by saying, “Bumrah is the next best on our continent, only after him. Akram sprang into consciousness with some unplayable balls and three wickets in the 1992 World Cup final. It was after that, until 2003, that he chased and courted greatness. 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.”