Brian Lara Prefers Facing Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar, And Javagal Srinath Over Jasprit Bumrah

Former West Indian batsman Brian Lara was one of the prolific run-getters in Test and ODI cricket and is the custodian of many batting records. Brian Lara, who has faced many elite bowlers since his debut in 1991 and blunted them, prefers facing Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar, and Javagal Srinath over India’s modern pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah has gone from strength to strength since his international debut in 2016, stamping his authority in all three formats. The lanky pace bowler has a perfect yorker, capable of tying the batsmen down in the death overs effectively. Bumrah, who plays for Mumbai Indians, holds the purple cap in IPL 2020 with 27 wickets in 14 matches at 13.92 with an economy rate of 6.71.

While laughing, Brian Lara said he prefers facing Manoj Prabhakar, Javagal Srinath, and Manoj Prabhakar over Jasprit Bumrah. At the same time, the 131-Test veteran admits that the challenge would have been exceptional and underlined that South African paceman Makhaya Ntini had the same angle as Bumrah. He would not have backed away.

“I think I would’ve preferred facing Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Manoj Prabhakar rather than Bumrah (laughs). But yes, the challenge would have been exceptional. You know, back in my day you had someone like Makhaya Ntini, who had a similar sort of angle to his delivery. So, there can be some comparisons to people I played against. I know I would not have backed away,” Lara told Hindustan Times.

“Bumrah and Archer could stand up and be counted in any era of cricket” : Brian Lara

Brian Lara further said that the likes of Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah could stand out in any era and mentioned that without lowering down anyone from the previous time. The Prince of Trinidad claims that Archer and Bumrah will own the stage in any period that he is playing in or watching.

“Bumrah and Archer could stand up and be counted in any era of cricket. Whether they were playing in the 2000s, 90s, 80s or even the 70s, they would be up there. And I am not belittling anyone from the past. But these two would be in the echelons of fast bowling in any era I have watched, played in, or am still watching,” he added.

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