In the golden age of cricket, bowlers continued to evolve, adapting their skills to dominate in all formats. From raw pace to crafty variations, modern cricket has produced some exceptional talent who consistently challenge batsmen around the world. Among them, several stand out as complete reversals, with Jasprit Bumrah often hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent.
Jasprit Bumrah: A once-in-a-generation talent
Bumrah’s rise in world cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. His unconventional action, combined with accuracy, pace and impeccable cricketing brain, made him a batsman’s nightmare. Talking about his unreal talent, the former Pakistani seamer Waqar Younis explained why Bumrah is the best bowler of the modern era.
Waqar Younis explains why Bumrah is a modern day legend
Waqar highlighted Bumrah’s exceptional qualities that set him apart from other bowlers in the world. He highlighted Bumrah’s unique and deceptive run-up, which is shorter than most fast bowlers, making it difficult for batsmen to predict the speed of the ball. Waqar also praised Bumrah’s ability to present the seam flawlessly, allowing him to generate movement in the air and off the pitch. Additionally, Bumrah’s hyperextension—a rare physical trait—enhances his bowling efficiency by allowing him to extract extra bounce and pace, making him a formidable opponent.
“Look, I’m not comparing because bowlers all over the world are good bowlers. Bumrah is a little different because firstly his run is short, you don’t expect the ball to come that fast. Then the way he presents the seam, the hyper extension of it, that really helps. And above all, his intelligence, he knows when to take the ball out and when to bring it in.” Waqar said in a YouTube video he shared Switch.
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Waqar praises Bumrah’s intelligence and captaincy attributes
Apart from his physical attributes, Waqar praised 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 tenure as captain, where his understanding of the game shone through. These qualities, according to Waqar, make Bumrah a unique bowler and arguably the best in the world today.
“I think it reflects on his captaincy as well. His bowling prowess was evident in his captaincy as well, so I think that’s why I think he’s probably the best in the world right now.” Waqar added.
Kudos to other talented bowlers
When asked about the best bowlers of the current era capable of reverse swing, Waqar once again emphasized Bumrah’s skill. According to him, Bumrah’s mastery of the reverse swing adds another dimension to his already formidable bowling arsenal. He mentioned India Mohammed Shami and Pakistani young guns, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shahas players who have mastered the skill, often associated with the subcontinental conditions of cricket.
“In today’s era of reverse swing, it is Bumrah again. Shami was also good, Shaheen also, Naseem Shah is also good. Whenever there is talk of reverse swing, there will be talk of bowlers from our subcontinent,” Waqar added further.
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