In a recent interview with the ICC, Ricky Ponting praised Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and hailed him as the best across all formats in the world.
The Australian legend has been recently interviewed quite often by the ICC, and in one of his recent interviews, he has showered praise on Indian speedster Bumrah. The Indian pacer has been sensational with the ball since his return to cricket after injury in 2022.
For India, he has set new standards of pace bowling. He was named the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he ended as the third-highest wicket-taker and also the team’s most economical player.
“I’ve said it for a long time; he’s probably been the best multi-format bowler there’s been in world cricket for the last five or six years,” Ponting said in the ICC Review
Ponting didn’t seem to hesitate while praising the world-class pacer, as he has been equally effective across both ODI and Test formats. Since his return, he has been inevitable as he rose to the 8th position in the ODI rankings and is ranked second alongside Australia’s Josh Hazlewood in the longest format of the game.
Ponting truly believes that Bumrah gotten better since his return to the ICC World Cup last year. His stellar performances led him to a successful campaign in the World Cup that landed him in the ICC’s Team of the Tournament.
“And when you talk to opposition batsmen about him (Bumrah) in particular, it’s always, ‘No, he’s a nightmare! You never know what’s going to happen. One’s going to swing, one’s going to seam, he’s going to bowl an in-swinger, he’s going to bowl an out-swinger. And the consistency is there,’
“So when you’ve got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you’re going to be a great player,” he added.
Ponting highlighted that Bumrah has maintained his pace and accuracy and has been getting better year on year. The 30-year-old has often been coined the best in the world, though managing his workload has been a tough job, with his injuries often being a matter of concern.
Ponting also drew parallels between Bumrah and the likes of Glenn McGrath and James Anderson. He believes that he has the caliber to meet the standards of the above-mentioned legends.
“Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest.” former Australian skipper concluded.
Bumrah likely to rest for Bangladesh Tests
Jasprit Bumrah is India’s most deadly weapon in the bowling deck, and has repeatedly proved that at the biggest stage. However, since India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Bumrah has not featured in any format.
Bumrah was rested from the Sri Lanka series, which featured every possible senior player, and if reports are to be believed, he is likely to be rested from the two-match red ball series against Bangladesh as well.
Even if Bumrah misses the series, he will probably make a return for the home series against New Zealand. The BCCI has given the player full freedom as he has also been relieved of participation in the Duleep trophy.
Bumrah is gearing up to give India his highest standard of pace bowling in the Border-Gavaskar Tests and later, in the Champions Trophy, which will possibly be held in the first half of 2025.
