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In the golden age of cricket, bowlers have continued to evolve, adapting their skills to dominate across formats. From raw pace to cunning variations, modern-day cricket has produced some exceptional talents who consistently challenge batters worldwide. Among these, a few stand out as complete game-changers, with Jasprit Bumrah often hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent.
Jasprit Bumrah: The once-in-a-generation talent
Bumrah’s rise in world cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. His unconventional action, coupled with precision, pace, and an impeccable cricketing brain, has made him a nightmare for batters. Speaking about his unreal talent, former Pakistan seamer Waqar Younis explained why Bumrah is the best bowler of moderd-day era.
Waqar Younis explains why Bumrah is a modern-day legend
Waqar highlighted Bumrah’s exceptional qualities that set him apart from other bowlers globally. He emphasized Bumrah’s unique and deceptive run-up, which is shorter than most fast bowlers, making it difficult for batters to anticipate the ball’s speed. Waqar also praised Bumrah’s ability to present the seam impeccably, allowing him to generate movement in the air and off the pitch. Additionally, Bumrah’s hyperextension—a rare physical attribute—enhances his bowling effectiveness by enabling him to extract extra bounce and pace, making him a formidable opponent.
“Look, I am not comparing because bowlers around the world are good bowlers. Bumrah is a little different because firstly his run-up is short, you do not expect the ball to come so fast. Then the way he presents the seam, his hyper extension, that really helps. And on top of that, his smartness, he knows when to take the ball out and when to bring the ball in,” Waqar said in a YouTube video shared by Switch.
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Waqar lauds Bumrah’s intelligence and captaincy attributes
Beyond his physical attributes, Waqar lauded Bumrah’s intelligence and situational awareness. He pointed out that Bumrah’s ability to decide when to swing the ball in or out reflects his sharp cricketing acumen. This strategic brilliance, Waqar noted, was evident not only in Bumrah’s bowling but also during his stint as captain, where his understanding of the game shone through. These traits, according to Waqar, make Bumrah a one-of-a-kind bowler and arguably the best in the world today.
“I think it is reflected in his captaincy as well. His bowling art was also visible in his captaincy, so I feel that is why I think he is probably the best in the world at the moment,” added Waqar.
A nod to other talented bowlers
When asked about the best bowlers in the current era capable of reverse swing, Waqar once again emphasized Bumrah’s skill. According to him, Bumrah’s mastery over reverse swing adds another dimension to his already formidable bowling arsenal. He mentioned India’s Mohammed Shami and Pakistan’s young guns, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, as players who have mastered the skill, which is often associated with subcontinental cricket conditions.
“In today’s era of reverse swing, it is Bumrah again. Shami also used to do well, Shaheen also does well, Naseem Shah is also good. Whenever reverse swing is discussed, they are the bowlers from our subcontinent who will be talked about,” Waqar added further.
