Jasprit Bumrah (ANI Photo)
The India pacer became the fastest Indian fast bowler to reach 50 Test wickets in 2018, accomplishing the milestone in his 11th match. He particularly remembered Bumrah’s decisive contribution in India’s six-run victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York.
And that’s what matters,” Waqar said on the Shubhankar Mishra podcast. Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the standout bowler in modern-day white-ball cricket but believes the Indian fast bowler still has more to establish in the Test format. “There’s no modern-day bowler of the same calibre as Bumrah with the white ball. Leave out Test cricket. He still has a lot to prove in Tests; he hasn’t played as much. There are plenty of others, like Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. You can’t ignore some of the English bowlers either. But when you talk about T20 and one-day cricket, I feel that in terms of impact, Bumrah always delivers in crunch scenarios. Waqar’s assessment comes despite Bumrah’s significant achievements in the longest format. He went on to claim his 100th Test wicket in his 24th appearance. Bumrah is expected to return for India’s two-match Test series in New Zealand next month, with a place in the World Test Championship final at stake. Waqar was unequivocal about the Indian pacer’s influence in ODIs and T20Is While questioning Bumrah’s standing in Tests. Waqar believes that spell demonstrated why Bumrah is such a valuable asset in high-pressure situations, particularly when a captain needs a breakthrough.
A top player can motivate others who too feel that we have to match him,” said Waqar, who took 373 wickets in Test cricket for Pakistan. “Whenever an India captain is in trouble, he always gives the ball to Bumrah. Pakistan had no business losing in New York. The required rate was well under control. That over in which Bumrah dismissed Rizwan proved to be the difference. Impact players are the key players.