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Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has drawn a remarkable comparison between India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and the legendary Pakistani left-arm seamer Wasim Akram. Praising Bumrah for his impeccable bowling in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Langer described him as a “right-handed version” of Akram, citing his ability to generate movement and consistent pace as a nightmare for batters.
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Dominating the Series
Bumrah has been in sensational form, leading the wicket-takers’ chart with 21 wickets at an average of 10.90. His standout performances include a five-wicket haul in Perth and a six-wicket demolition in Brisbane. He has also claimed the scalps of Australia’s openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney four times each, underlining his dominance over the hosts’ top order.
Langer’s High Praise
Langer, speaking to The Nightly, said:
“I would hate to face him. He is like Wasim Akram. For me, he is a right-hand version of Wasim Akram, and every time I am asked the question, ‘Who is the best bowler you have ever faced,’ I say Wasim Akram.”
He elaborated on Bumrah’s skill set:
“He has got the ability to swing the ball both ways, his seam is literally picture-perfect. If you present a perfect seam, it comes out of the fingers just right, giving you swing in the right conditions and unpredictable movement off the surface. That’s what Akram used to do, and Bumrah does it brilliantly.”
Langer also commended Bumrah’s competitive nature and pace:
“He’s a great competitor, bowls good pace, and is just awesome. He’s the kind of bowler you hate to face as a batter.”
Impact on the Series
Langer emphasized Bumrah’s pivotal role in India’s campaign:
“I said at the start of the series, if Bumrah stays fit, it is going to be a really tough summer for the Australian batters. If he doesn’t, then Australia will win the series easily, and I still maintain that.”
Surprise Over Ashwin’s Retirement
Langer also touched upon Ravichandran Ashwin’s unexpected retirement after the third Test in Brisbane. Despite Ashwin’s contributions with both ball and bat in the Adelaide Test, where he claimed 1-53 and scored 29 runs, Langer expressed surprise at his decision:
“I was surprised Ashwin retired because I thought they would use him and (Ravindra) Jadeja for the remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. These venues are likely to suit India’s spin attack.”
Australia’s Outlook for Melbourne Test
Looking ahead to the next Test in Melbourne, Langer doesn’t foresee changes in Australia’s lineup, despite top-order struggles:
“I can’t see them making any changes now at 1-1 in the series. There will be some discussions about a few players, but my gut feeling is they will keep it the same.”
A Duel to Remember
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hangs in the balance, Bumrah’s extraordinary performances continue to draw comparisons to some of cricket’s greatest bowlers. His role will undoubtedly remain critical in India’s push to clinch the series.
