“Arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats” – Steven Smith heaps praise on Jasprit Bumrah

Australia’s talisman batter Steve Smith has tipped Jasprit Bumrah as the best fast bowler across the three formats ahead of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Bumrah has been ticking the right boxes in all three forms and he has breathed down the neck of the best batters in the world.

The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 4-50 in the first innings of the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Furthermore, he bagged 1-24 in the second essay. Bumrah also crossed the 400 International wickets mark in the opening Test.

Meanwhile, the ace pacer bagged 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17 in the eight matches of the T20I showpiece and thus played a key role in the team’s success.

Steve Smith said on Star Sports, “He’s a wonderful bowler, whether I face him with the new ball, slightly older ball, or even the old ball. He’s got great skills with all of them. He’s a great bowler, arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats. It’s always going to be a challenge.”

On the other hand, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons there is no weakness in Jasprit Bumrah.

Manjrekar told ESPN Cricinfo, “We all know about his variations, his thinking – one of the sharpest thinking fast bowlers. We saw a certain amount of meanness as well in the way he bowled to Taskin. But the one thing that came through today was that he is a bowler without a weakness – whatever the opposition, pitch conditions and that’s actually the best way to judge greatness.

Bumrah’s biggest strength is his adaptability to any pitch and he reads every track like an expert. The fast bowler is equally lethal at both ends of the innings and he has consistently delivered for the team.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.