Former Indian fast bowler, Lakshmipathy Balaji reckons that a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah comes once-in-a-generation and his ability to manage the workloads of both white-ball and Test cricket at such a crucial phase of his career is phenomenal. Speaking to India Today from the UAE, Lakshmipathy Balaji said he does not only rate Jasprit Bumrah’s skillset highly but his ability to lead the bowling attack.

Burmah has reached the UAE to join the Mumbai Indians camp for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 after a fine run in the incomplete Test series in England. Bumrah emerged as India’s highest wicket-taker, taking 18 scalps in 4 Tests after playing all 4 Tests in the series.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir Feels Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers Will Face Problems In UAE

Describing the same Lakshmipathy Balaji said, “Bumrah has made huge strides in his Test career. He will play a bigger role in the future. The way he has managed both white ball and the red ball has been phenomenal to watch. Both the skills are totally different. Very rarely, you get a match of both the white-ball cricket and white-ball cricket bowling in superior form. We have seen many batsmen doing it but very rarely do we see bowlers evolving with both the skills.”

He further elaborated, “Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation fast bowler. When I started my career, great bowlers operated in tandem. Some like Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee. India’s Zaheer (Khan) and (Javagal) Srinath and Ashish played together. What we’re seeing today is how far these guys are able to adapt and maintain their skill sets.”

ALSO READ: Lasith Malinga Announces Retirement From All Forms Of The Game

Speaking of Bumrah’s ability to generate a wicket out of nowhere whenever the team needs him, Lakshmipathy Balaji added: “Bumrah is one exceptional bowler. I see him not only as a skillful bowler but he has leadership quality. He has been shouldering responsibility very well at a very young age. The way he has handled the responsibility of the team has been phenomenal.”