IND vs PAK: Navjot Singh Sidhu in awe of "Rare Jewel" Jasprit Bumrah; compares him with Pakistan icons

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, Navjot Singh Sidhu, shared his admiration for Jasprit Bumrah after his Player of the Match performance during Team India’s dominant eight-wicket win over Ireland in their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 opener in New York on June 5.

Bumrah was absolutely amazing with the ball on the tricky pitch of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, as he conceded only six runs in his three overs while taking two wickets against Ireland. After his stunning performance in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 opener, Sidhu compared Bumrah with Pakistani pace legends Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram.

Navjot Singh Sidhu hails Jasprit Bumrah; compares him with Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram

Putting Jasprit Bumrah, Younis, and Akram in the same category, Sidhu said that these bowlers possess a rare combination of skills that doesn’t need favorable conditions, as the New York pitches are under the radar for their variable bounce and slow outfield during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

The commentator further highlighted Bumrah's ability to excel in various conditions without any specific requirements and his proficiency in delivering yorkers, slower balls, and late-swinging deliveries. He said that the experience of facing him is like "someone has climbed on you."

Well, Sidhu was really impressed with Bumrah's late-swinging deliveries, saying they often catch batters off guard due to their unpredictable movement. Praising Bumrah's exceptional accuracy and control, he pointed out that even batters attempt to play aggressive shots like the hook, but the ball hits the bat's sticker.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Star Sports: “Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Jasprit Bumrah don't need any conditions. They are quick in the air, know how to bowl yorkers and slower ones, and their deliveries swing late. It seems like someone has climbed on you. The deliveries tail in late, so you don't get the time. Even when the batter tries to play the hook shot, it hits the sticker.”

Navjot Singh Sidhu declares Jasprit Bumrah as India’s most complete bowler

Furthermore, Sidhu described Bumrah as a "rare jewel" and lauded his proficiency in bowling yorkers with the new ball, which is a significant skill in the fast-paced world of cricket. He also called Bumrah the most complete bowler Indian cricket has ever seen.

Sidhu signed off by saying, “So, Jasprit Bumrah is a rare jewel. He has all the skills and is a complete bowler. Bowling yorkers with the new ball is a very big skill and I feel he is the most complete bowler among all bowlers who have come in Indian cricket.”

Earlier, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also said that there is no better bowler than Bumrah in the world at the moment. He said that Bumrah is the greatest bowler of the modern era.

Harbhajan stated, “The conditions don't matter to him at all. The pitch was like this today, but he is ready to bowl in every situation. Whether it's the new ball or the old ball, no one is better than him.”