Watch: Jasprit Bumrah not the GOAT? England legends engage in heated debate before IND-ENG Tests

As the high-voltage five-match Test series between India and England is set to kick off at Headingley on June 20, all eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah's role as India's bowling spearhead becomes even more crucial in India’s new era.

Well, ahead of the first Test in Leeds, a fiery and interesting debate has erupted among the England legends over Bumrah's greatness. On a podcast, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a sensational claim, calling Bumrah "the greatest bowler of all time."

Michael Vaughan involved in a fiery debate with David Lloyd over Jasprit Bumrah

Vaughan couldn’t stop praising Bumrah’s incredible skill, unique action, and ability to dominate in all conditions. He said on the Stick to Cricket Podcast, “He (Jasprit Bumrah) is the greatest bowler of all time. Absolutely the greatest bowler of all time.”

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But the former England cricketer David Lloyd didn’t agree with Vaughan, as he called Freddie Trueman the greatest fast bowler of all time. Lloyd argued that the legendary English fast bowler’s sheer pace, aggression, and dominance in his era make him the greatest fast bowler of all time.

David Lloyd said on the podcast, “No, I don’t agree. Lightning, lightning… Freddie Trueman. Give him over.” To which the former England captain said, “I don't like lightning. He's normally been as quick as Fred.” Well, the podcast then turned into an intense, yet entertaining, debate table.

Freddie Trueman was not as good as Jasprit Bumrah: Michael Vaughan

The celebrated umpire and the broadcaster noted, “Oh, dear. Who was the first person to get 300 Test Match wickets? Freddie. I think he's probably the quickest bowler that Yorkshire has produced since the war. Bumrah only played 60 Test matches.”

The debate didn’t end there, as Vaughan stood firm on Bumrah's brilliance in all conditions across the three formats of the game. The former England captain stressed, “Freddie played before Bumrah. He's not as good as Bumrah.”

Is Bumrah the greatest bowler of all time? 🤔@BumbleCricket certainly doesn't think so! 😅 pic.twitter.com/O2QY8TNTks

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) June 19, 2025

Stuart Broad compares Jasprit Bumrah to Glenn McGrath ahead of England Tests

Recently, Stuart Broad also praised Jasprit Bumrah for his unique bowling style, calling it tricky for batters to handle. He said that Bumrah’s smooth run-up and sudden pace reminded him of legendary bowler Glenn McGrath. Broad said that Bumrah’s delivery stride is one of the best he has ever seen, putting him in the same league as some of the greats of world cricket.

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Broad said on the podcast For the Love of Cricket, “He (Bumrah) jogs in, you will be thinking ‘this will be 70 miles an hour,' and it hits you at 90, and you don't get a real flow. You were ready, but Bumrah is so balanced in his run-up; it's a short-stride pattern, so he never gets over stride and off balance.”

He added, “I look at Glenn McGrath, who had the most balanced delivery stride that I watched, and Bumrah is the same. He is certainly going to be one to watch and certainly someone that England won't want to play five Tests against, because if he does, he's going to pick up a shedload of wickets, isn't he?”

Notably, Bumrah will not play all five Tests in the England series, as the team looks to manage his workload carefully. He is likely to feature in just three matches after he broke down on the Australia tour after playing all five Tests.