Legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram recently heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting why the Indian quick is regarded as one of the most exceptional bowlers in modern cricket. Akram’s remarks came after Bumrah’s stunning performance in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, where he played a pivotal role in India’s commanding 295-run victory over Australia.
Leading India as a stand-in captain, Bumrah showcased his class with a phenomenal spell, claiming 8/72 across both innings. His precision, control, and unorthodox action left the Australian batters struggling to find answers on a challenging pitch.
Akram attributed Bumrah’s success to his unique bowling mechanics. He explained that Bumrah’s release point, roughly 34 centimetres ahead of the popping crease, gives him a significant edge over most bowlers, whose releases are typically within 10 centimetres. This extended-release point reduces the batter’s reaction time and makes the ball appear to hurry onto them, especially on low-bouncing pitches.
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“Bumrah’s bowling arm comes from behind the shoulder, and his hyperextension, coupled with the flick of his wrist at the end, makes the ball skid. This action, which is entirely natural, surprises batters and makes it incredibly difficult to handle him on low and unpredictable wickets,” Wasim Akram explained in a video shared by Star Sports.
No batter is 💯confident when they see #JaspritBumrah rushing at them! 😅#JaspritBumrah‘s wrist action and skidding of the ball makes it unplayable for Aussie batters! 😁#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 2nd Test | FRI, 6th DEC, 8 AM only on Star Sports 1 | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/D59tfKyRIx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 27, 2024
Wasim Akram also noted that Bumrah’s release point can vary by up to 40 centimetres, creating significant differences in pace and trajectory. This variation adds another layer of unpredictability, making it challenging for batters to anticipate the movement and bounce of his deliveries.
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In the Perth Test, Bumrah’s first-innings five-wicket haul was instrumental in limiting Australia to a modest total, giving India a slender yet vital lead of 46 runs. He followed it up with three more wickets in the second innings, including the crucial scalp of Travis Head, cementing his role as the backbone of India’s bowling attack.
Wasim Akram’s admiration underscores Bumrah’s extraordinary skill set, which continues to make him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.
