Jasprit Bumrah Is Once In A Generation Fast Bowler: Lakshmipathy Balaji
Published - 15 Sep 2021, 12:12 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:53 AM
Former Indian bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji said that Jasprit Bumrah is a once in a generation fast bowler and his leadership responsibility has been phenomenal.
Bumrah, who made his debut for India in 2016, is currently ranked as one of the best bowlers in the world. His ability to pick wickets and put pressure on the opposition with his toe-crushing yorkers has made him one of the lethal bowlers in the world.
Jasprit Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation fast bowler: Lakshmipathy Balaji
In the recent four Test matches against England, Bumrah claimed 18 wickets, the highest among Indian bowlers and he was only behind England pacer Ollie Robinson, whose tally is 21.
Balaji said that Bumrah is a rare bowler who maintains his dominance in the red ball as well as white-ball formats.
“Bumrah has made huge strides in his Test career. He will play a bigger role in the future. The way he has managed both white ball and red ball has been phenomenal to watch. Both the skills are totally different. Very rarely, you get a match of both the white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket bowling in superior form,” Balaji told indiatoday.in.
“Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation fast bowler. It’s not easy to replicate Bumrah. This generation, we are lucky to see talents like Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami,” he added.
The way Jasprit Bumrah has handled the responsibility of the team has been phenomenal: Lakshmipathy Balaji
Bumrah not only leads the bowling attack for India but also shares the same duty for his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians and Balaji said that at a young age his ability to take up the responsibility is phenomenal.
“Bumrah is one exceptional bowler. I see him not only as a skilful bowler but he has leadership qualities. He has been shouldering responsibility very well at a very young age. The way he has handled the responsibility of the team has been phenomenal,” Balaji mentioned.
Balaji credited the Indian team management for grooming the youngsters under their tutelage and managing the fast bowlers very well.
“Definitely, you have to give credit to the support staff. We see in skills is a reflection of how we prepare but what we don’t see is the work done to keep them fresh,” Balaji said.
“Over the last 2-3 years, they have managed the fast bowlers well. Remaining fit and not losing pace is a great man-management skill. They don’t compromise on performance,” he added.
After the victory at Oval against England, Bumrah jumped to the ninth spot in ICC Test Bowling rankings. In the second innings, he got the important wickets of Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow that helped India to script England’s batting collapse as the hosts were bowled out for 210.
India won the fourth Test by 157 runs and took a 2-1 lead before the final Test in Manchester was cancelled amid the COVID-19 scare in the Indian camp.
