Sydney — Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain, has declared Jasprit Bumrah the greatest all-format fast bowler of all time after the Indian pacer’s stellar performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Bumrah claimed 32 wickets at an exceptional average of 13.06 before an injury cut short his involvement in the final Test at the SCG. While Bumrah’s absence was keenly felt, India’s other fast bowlers managed to take a four-run lead. However, Australia ultimately chased down 162 on day three to seal a 3-1 series victory.
Despite the loss, Bumrah’s efforts were notable, as he fell just two wickets short of equaling the legendary Sydney Barnes’ 1911-12 record of 34 wickets by a touring fast bowler in an Australian series.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s performances, Clarke stated, “I actually think he’s the best fast bowler ever across all three formats.” He acknowledged the greatness of fast bowlers like Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath, who never played T20 cricket, but pointed out that Bumrah’s exceptional ability to excel in all formats sets him apart. “In terms of anyone who has played all three formats, I think he might be the best ever. He’s actually that good in any conditions, that’s what makes him great; any conditions, any format, this guy’s a freak.”
Bumrah’s remarkable series included a match-winning performance in Perth, where he claimed eight wickets, and a six-wicket haul in Brisbane. He almost changed the course of the Melbourne Test with a late burst on the fourth afternoon. At the SCG, he removed key Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early in Australia’s first innings before his injury sidelined him. His inability to bowl after lunch on day two left India with fewer resources to defend their modest lead.
Clarke speculated that India was “probably 20 runs short” in Sydney, adding, “I reckon a 180-run lead, with Bumrah in the team, India would have been home. Bumrah is that good. He’s so much better than the other bowlers they had in the team.”
Bumrah’s Impact and India’s Setback
While Bumrah’s absence in Sydney proved costly, India’s other pacers, including Mohammed Siraj, who claimed 20 wickets at 31.15, and Prasidh Krishna, whose six-wicket performance at the SCG hinted at his potential, struggled to match Bumrah’s impact. Despite India’s best efforts, Australia’s resilience in Brisbane and Melbourne, where they posted totals over 400, eventually played a pivotal role in their series victory.
Reflecting on the series, Australia’s Aaron Finch noted that Australia’s strategy of targeting Bumrah’s stamina may have been a key factor in his injury. “Australia were prepared to play the long game with Jasprit Bumrah,” Finch explained. “They wanted to make him bowl over and over, make him come back for one more spell, bowl another three, four, five overs, and in the end, it worked. They broke him.”
Finch acknowledged that Bumrah’s absence made it easier for Australia to chase down the total. “Had he bowled in the last innings in Sydney, would Australia have got over the line? I think they still would have, but it would have been a lot more difficult than it was.”
As the cricket world continues to debate Bumrah’s status as one of the all-time greats, Clarke’s endorsement adds weight to the growing consensus that Bumrah’s ability to dominate across formats and conditions is unrivaled.
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