Australian batting icon Steve Smith recently showered praise on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith, known for his meticulous batting technique, didn’t hold back in acknowledging Bumrah’s prowess, labeling him as “arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to kick off on November 22, 2024, in Perth, promises to be a thrilling contest. India, sitting at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, will be looking to clinch their third consecutive Test series win on Australian soil. The series spans across iconic venues like Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, featuring five matches that could be pivotal in deciding both teams’ WTC fate.
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Smith’s words about Bumrah’s bowling skills carry weight, considering their on-field rivalry. “He’s a wonderful bowler, whether I face him with the new ball, a slightly older ball, or even the old ball. His skills are extraordinary across all situations. He’s arguably the best fast bowler across formats, and facing him is always going to be a challenge,” Smith remarked during an interview with Star Sports.
From one great to another! 👏🏻
The #ToughestRivalry intensifies as Australia’s finest, #SteveSmith, showers praise on #JaspritBumrah, eagerly anticipating their next face-off down under starting November 22nd! pic.twitter.com/fnY5sR7AoA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 21, 2024
Their battles have been compelling, with Bumrah bowling 114 deliveries to Smith across five Test innings, dismissing him once while Smith managed 52 runs against the pacer. The rivalry is set to intensify, with both players at the peak of their form.
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Jasprit Bumrah, who recently secured the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup 2024 after taking 15 wickets in eight matches, remains India’s pace spearhead. His impressive five-wicket haul in the first Test against Bangladesh highlighted his readiness for the Australian challenge. Bumrah’s ability to rattle the Australian lineup will be vital if India hopes to reach their third WTC final.
