Legendary Australian cricketer Greg Chappell has heaped praise on India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as a combination of the best traits of Dennis Lillee and Andy Roberts. Chappell, who played 87 Tests for Australia and also served as India’s head coach from 2005 to 2007, believes Bumrah’s unique skill set sets him apart from other modern-day bowlers2.
SOURCE : ZEE
Since making his Test debut against South Africa in Cape Town on January 5, 2018, Bumrah has picked up 185 wickets in 42 Tests. His ability to excel in diverse conditions and his mastery of reverse swing have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history2.
Source:- bbc news
Chappell, in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, wrote, “Among the modern era’s firebrands, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a compelling figure, inviting comparisons not only to these stalwarts but also to current South African champion Kagiso Rabada.” He further added, “I have always said that Dennis Lillee and Andy Roberts were the most complete fast bowlers that I faced2. How does Bumrah, with his unorthodox action and masterful control, measure against these two and the other titans of modern fast bowling?”
Bumrah’s unorthodox action and masterful control have been key to his success. Chappell noted, “Bumrah, though less overtly combative, channels Lillee’s ability to unsettle batsmen2. His deadly yorkers and disconcerting bounce—especially with his unorthodox release point and trajectory—echo Lillee’s capacity to dictate terms.” He also highlighted Bumrah’s cerebral approach, similar to Roberts, saying, “Both bowlers use subtle variations to outfox batsmen, relying on strategy rather than brute force2.”
Chappell praised Bumrah’s spell in the 2018 Boxing Day Test against Australia, where he took 6 wickets for 33 runs, calling it a modern echo of Roberts’ game-changing bursts. Since then, Bumrah has continued to impress, taking 12 wickets in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia2.
With 151 wickets at an average of 21.03 in just 30 Tests outside India, Bumrah’s ability to excel in diverse conditions recalls the dominance of legends like Marshall. Chappell concluded, “Bumrah’s ability to reverse the old ball has drawn comparisons to this iconic duo2. His spells in the 2021 England series and 2022 South Africa tour showcased his mastery of reverse swing, leaving batsmen helpless against late-dipping yorkers—a hallmark of Wasim and Waqar.”
Chappell believes that Bumrah is carving his own legacy and promises to inspire future generations of pacemen. He added, “Fast bowling, cricket’s most compelling spectacle, thrives through these icons2. Bumrah, with his unorthodox brilliance, stands tall among them, embodying the heavy artillery that Ian Chappell so eloquently described.”
As Bumrah continues to shine on the international stage, his name is being mentioned in the same breath as the champions of yesteryear, solidifying his place among the greats of fast bowling.
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