Adam Gilchrist heaped massive praise on Indian fast bowling stalwart Jasprit Bumrah, claiming that he would’ve even gotten the better of even the legendary Sir Don Bradman.
Despite the series not going India’s way, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 was an exhibition of Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah’s impeccable skill and grit. Elected Player of the Series, the fast bowler picked up 32 wickets across the five Tests at an incredible average of 13.06 and registered three five-fors. The numbers, while ridiculous, still don’t completely encapsulate the terror and the hold that Bumrah had on the Australian batters throughout the series.
Adam Gilchrist: There is no reward that is high enough for Bumrah
Bumrah’s otherworldly performances in 2024 have captured the attention of not only his peers and the larger cricketing world but also of legends of the game. Australia’s World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist reserved special praise for the Indian bowler and said that even Sir Don Bradman’s remarkable batting average of 99.94 would’ve been lower had he faced a bowler of the quality of Jasprit Bumrah.
Speaking on Club Prairie Fire podcast which also featured former England captain Michael Vaughan, Gilchrist said that Bumrah would’ve troubled even Sir Don Bradman.
"I am not rating him, no number befitting what he is in world sport. He would have ripped on Bradman's peak in the matter of balls. It would have been much further south of 99 [Bradman's batting average] that he sits at (if he faced Bumrah]. I would give Donald 35 out of Bumrah (in terms of batting average). You cannot have a reward that is high enough for him."
Besides the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah’s bowling prowess was on show throughout 2024. He was the leading wicket-taker across all formats and registered 86 dismissals in 21 matches at an average of 13.76.
It was his decisive performance in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 that helped India win their first ICC trophy in over a decade. Bumrah picked 15 wickets at 8.27 and was picked as the Player of the Tournament. He also scalped 19 wickets in the Test series against England at home.
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