Waqar Younis demolishes own legacy, claims Jasprit Bumrah is better than him and Wasim Akram

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has recalled a conversation involving Jasprit Bumrah with Pakistan’s fast-bowling legend Waqar Younis amidst the chatter over the Indian fast bowler’s workload management on the recent England tour.

Jasprit Bumrah missed two of India’s five Tests on the recent England tour as part of the workload management process to protect him after a serious back injury during the Australia tour earlier this year. Despite the history of his injuries, many have criticized his absence in the final Test at The Oval.

Akash Chopra reveals Waqar Younis hailed Jasprit Bumrah as better than him and Wasim Akram

Recently, Aakash Chopra revealed that he once shared a car ride with Waqar Younis, and they had a conversation on Bumrah’s brilliance. During their car ride, Younis compared Jasprit Bumrah with Pakistan’s iconic fast bowler and former captain Wasim Akram.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: Rohit Sharma nearly became a bowler, batting talent found by sheer luck!! Childhood coach reveals shocking truth

The former Pakistani bowler said that Bumrah is even better than the greats of the past, praising his skill and cricketing intelligence and calling him the best fast bowler the world has ever seen.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “We were in a car. Waqar Younis was with me. I asked him, 'The entire cricket world has respect for Wasim Akram for the variations in his bowling and the control he possessed. He was par excellence. Bumrah is like a right-handed Wasim Akram, right?' He replied, 'No, he is better than all of us. We didn't have this level of thinking at his age. His skill is better; his thinking is better. He is the best that the world has ever seen'.”

Sandeep Patil questions BCCI’s handling of Jasprit Bumrah’s workload

Meanwhile, former India cricketer and ex-selector Sandeep Patil has criticized the BCCI's approach to managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. He questioned the role of the team physio, wondering if they are given too much influence over decisions that should involve the captain, coach, and selectors.

Patil emphasized the importance of commitment when representing the country, recalling how legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev played through every tough situation, and noted that true players fight for their team and do not avoid challenges.

Patil noted that the past legends never asked for breaks, never complained, and their careers extended to 16-plus years. He also recalled how he played in a Test match after injuring his head in Australia back in 1981.

Read Also: ‘They should continue only if...’: Sourav Ganguly ignites Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's ODI retirement speculation

'Past players played through pain without complaints'

Patil also mentioned that today's cricketers have access to better facilities and medical care compared to the past. However, he believes that players from earlier times were more ready to push through pain and difficulties for the team.

The former Indian cricketer noted that the players often played despite injuries because they were simply focused on representing their country without making a fuss in the past.