A happy Aakash Chopra lauded Jasprit Bumrah, who now holds the honors as the best bowler in Test cricket.
Bumrah has moved up three spots, becoming the No. 1 bowler. This title was previously held by Ravichandran Ashwin, according to the ICC Test rankings. Bumrah managed to grab 15 wickets in the first two Tests competing against England. Not only this, but he was honored as the Player of the Match in the second game in Visakhapatnam.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra observed Jasprit Bumrah reigniting individuals’ passion for Test cricket. His words:
“With what he (Bumrah) is doing currently, he is making us fall in love with Test cricket. When a batter scores a hundred or a double hundred, he stays at the crease for a long time, so it just captures your imagination a little more because you have seen him bat for seven hours.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener complimented the unusual seamer for producing results in difficult Indian conditions.
In Tests in India, we look at spinners, because they pick up six or seven wickets, and 10 or 12 wickets in a Test match and you say – ‘Wow’. Fast bowlers, because they bowl short spells, don’t capture your imagination as much, especially in Indian conditions,” Chopra added.
Chopra noted Bumrah’s ability to swiftly swing the ball in both directions. He discussed how batters often struggle against him, underlining their struggle even when they anticipate his plan.
Aakash Chopra praises Bumrah’s versatility across formats in modern cricket
Aakash Chopra noted that Jasprit Bumrah showcases his talent in all game formats, distinguishing himself from many contemporary players. He said:
“He is an amazing player. You generally don’t look for all-format players in modern-day cricket. The players are coming with that perspective and the selectors also are looking with that perspective.”
Aakash Chopra
The reputable analyst went on to say that the Gujarat seamer has achieved great success despite missing a lot of play due to a back issue.
“However, a player who couldn’t continuously play all cricket, went through an extremely serious injury and was out for a very long time, the way he is bowling since returning from that – a lot of bowlers come but some bowlers remain in your memory and are exceptional till the time they play.”
Aakash Chopra
Jasprit Bumrah is the sixth-ranked bowler in the ICC ODI rankings. He is ranked 100th in the T20I rankings, owing to his little experience with the shortest format since September 2022.