NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been the best multi-format bowler over the last five or six years.
Despite concerns over his longevity, Bumrah has returned stronger from injuries, impressing Ponting and the cricketing circuit.
“I’ve said it for a long time, he’s probably been the best multi-format bowler there’s been in world cricket for the last five or six years,” Ponting said on the ICC review.
“There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries come in and ‘would he come back the same?’, but I think he’s actually come back better,” he added.
“The greatest way to always get a real gauge on these players is by asking (other) players. And when you talk to opposition batsmen about him (Bumrah) in particular, it’s always, ‘No, he’s a nightmare! You never know what’s going to happen.
“One’s going to swing, one’s going to seam, he’s going to bowl an in-swinger, he’s going to bowl an out-swinger,” he continued.
Bumrah had a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, taking 15 wickets.
Ponting acknowledged Bumrah’s exceptional performance during the tournament.
“If I watch what he did in the T20 World Cup – the pace is still there, there’s nothing that’s changed with the accuracy or what he can deliver,” Ponting said.
“The skillset is all the same. He’s getting better year on year. He would rank right up there.
“When you’ve got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you’re going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest,” Ponting added.
Despite concerns over his longevity, Bumrah has returned stronger from injuries, impressing Ponting and the cricketing circuit.
“I’ve said it for a long time, he’s probably been the best multi-format bowler there’s been in world cricket for the last five or six years,” Ponting said on the ICC review.
“There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries come in and ‘would he come back the same?’, but I think he’s actually come back better,” he added.
“The greatest way to always get a real gauge on these players is by asking (other) players. And when you talk to opposition batsmen about him (Bumrah) in particular, it’s always, ‘No, he’s a nightmare! You never know what’s going to happen.
“One’s going to swing, one’s going to seam, he’s going to bowl an in-swinger, he’s going to bowl an out-swinger,” he continued.
Bumrah had a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, taking 15 wickets.
Ponting acknowledged Bumrah’s exceptional performance during the tournament.
“If I watch what he did in the T20 World Cup – the pace is still there, there’s nothing that’s changed with the accuracy or what he can deliver,” Ponting said.
“The skillset is all the same. He’s getting better year on year. He would rank right up there.
“When you’ve got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you’re going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest,” Ponting added.
