‘Intensity and precision makes him a nightmare’ – Former Aussie great heaps massive praise on Jasprit Bumrah

Former Australian skipper Greg Chappell has heaped massive praise on Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the Brisbane Test. The 31-year-old is the best bowler so far in the Border Gavaskar series with 12 wickets from 2 matches. Bumrah began with a fifer in Perth before taking 3 wickets in the second innings and 4 more scalps in Adelaide. 

In his column for Sydney Morning Herald, the former Aussie skipper and Indian coach Greg Chappell 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." 

Greg Chappell further wrote, “I have always said that Dennis Lillee and Andy Roberts were the most complete fast bowlers that I faced. How does Bumrah, with his unorthodox action and masterful control, measure against these two and the other titans of modern fast bowling?”

Jasprit Bumrah compared with bowling greats by Greg Chappell

Known to not mince any words, Greg Chappell was effusive in his praise for India’s pace ace. In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, the former Aussie star put Bumrah in the same bracket as some of the best fast bowlers the world has seen. 

“Bumrah, though less overtly combative, channels Lillee’s ability to unsettle batsmen. His deadly yorkers and disconcerting bounce—especially with his unorthodox release point and trajectory—echo Lillee’s capacity to dictate terms. Bumrah’s quiet intensity and precision make him a nightmare, much like Lillee’s unrelenting aggression,” further opined Chappell while writing in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. 

The Aussie legend also wrote, “Bumrah shares Roberts’ cerebral approach. Both bowlers use subtle variations to outfox batsmen, relying on strategy rather than brute force. Bumrah’s spell in the 2018 Boxing Day Test against Australia culminating in 6-33 was a modern echo of Roberts’ game-changing bursts.”

Meanwhile, former India star Sunil Gavaskar has asked Indian seamers to support Bumrah with the ball. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said that Bumrah is feeling the pressure of wickets not being picked at the other end. While Siraj picked up 4 wickets in Adelaide, Harshit Rana went wicketless. 

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports “Mohammed Siraj has been a good foil, but he needs to start getting those five-wicket hauls.  he can break partnerships and take two or three wickets consistently; it will significantly ease the pressure on Bumrah. Harshit Rana bowled impressively in Perth but lost his rhythm in Adelaide. Hopefully, he has learned from the experience and can contribute more effectively at the Gabba."