New Delhi: Star South Africa cricketer Faf du Plessis showered praise on India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah, calling him the toughest bowler in world cricket, and humorously added that he hopes the ace seamer never features in South Africa’s SA20 league.
While speaking at an event in Mumbai during SA20 India Day, Joburg Super Kings key batter du Plessis said, “Bumrah is the toughest bowler in the world to face. Hope we don’t see him in SA20.” The 39-year-old, who has played alongside Bumrah in both international and franchise cricket, noted that the Indian pacer’s unique bowling action and pinpoint accuracy make him a formidable challenge even for top batters.
Bumrah has been in outstanding form across formats
Since making his comeback from injury earlier this year, Bumrah has been in outstanding form across formats, playing a crucial role in India’s 2-1 T20I series victory against Australia after their unbeaten run to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.
India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team during the Australia series, praised Bumrah for elevating the bowling unit with his leadershio and shard tactical awareness.
“From a bowling point of view as well, people are taking responsibility,” said after the series. “Having an experienced bowler like Bumrah around in the team and everyone chatting with him, learning a lot of skills, tricks and trade of the game — I think that’s a good thing. So there’s good friendship building up in that as well.”
Bumrah’s T20I stat
Bumrah’s influence goes far beyond his impressive numbers. In 79 T20I, the 31-year-old has picked 99 wickets in 77 innings at an average of 18.11 and an economy rate of 6.36, making him India’s second-highest wicket taker in the format after Arshdeep Singh.
Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir also reflected on Bumrah’s evolving role in the team, emphasizing the tactical shift in using him more aggressively with the new ball. During the Asia Cup and the following tour of Australia, India frequently bowled Bumrah for three overs in the powerplay, a move Gambhir called “a statement of intent.”
Gambhir reflected on Bumrah’s evolving role in the team
“Look, a lot of people relate to this T20 side as a very aggressive batting lineup,” Gambhir said in a video released by the BCCI. “For me, bowling Jassi’s three in the first six was an even more aggressive option with the ball. We don’t want to be a side known only for aggressive batting. We want to be a side that’s aggressive overall. No one has ever bowled Jassi’s three overs in the first six.”
Bumrah has been a key factor in India’s streak of seven straight T20I series victories since the World Cup. His knack for taking early wickets and controlling the game in the death overs has made him India’s most prized weapon, and a global standard for fast-bowling excellence that even veterans like du Plessis find almost impossible to challenge.
