Former England captain Nasser Hussain has showered immense praise on Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, drawing a comparison between his ability to outfox batsmen and that of the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. Hussain expressed his admiration while commentating on Bumrah's performance in the ongoing Test match between India and England.
Hussain lauded Bumrah as an "absolute genius," emphasizing the uniqueness of his bowling action and his knack for leaving batters clueless. He highlighted that while Bumrah's action is not something young cricketers should try to imitate, it works perfectly for him, making him a formidable force on the field.
The former England captain expressed a heartfelt wish for Bumrah to remain injury-free, so that the cricketing world can continue to witness and appreciate his brilliance for many years to come. Hussain articulated this sentiment on Sky Sports, stating, "Hopefully he stays injury free and we talk about him for years to come. There are two brilliant things to watch in cricket — a wrist spinner like Shane Warne bamboozling batters and a genuine fast bowler like Bumrah bamboozling batters."
Bumrah's career has been marked by recurring injuries that have sidelined him at crucial moments. Beginning with a thumb fracture in 2018, he has since battled a stress fracture in his lower back in 2019, an abdominal strain in 2021, and back spasms. Most recently, Bumrah underwent back surgery in early 2023 in New Zealand, causing him to miss significant tournaments. Despite these setbacks, his relentless comebacks have solidified his position as one of cricket’s finest fast bowlers.
Hussain acknowledged Bumrah's impact, stating, "He knows what he is doing, he has perfected an art and he is going to be a thorn in England's side — not for five Tests, maybe three. In those three Test matches he is going to take a shed load of wickets."
Bumrah's recent performance saw him achieve a five-wicket haul, further cementing his reputation as a key player. He also reached a milestone, becoming the 30th bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia, including home bowlers). Additionally, he equaled R Ashwin for the most five-wicket hauls in the World Test Championship, achieving this feat in fewer innings.
The hope that Bumrah remains fit is a common sentiment among cricket fans and analysts, given his history of injuries. There have been concerns about rushing him back into action too soon, which could lead to long-term repercussions, including the risk of a stress fracture. The BCCI medical team has been carefully monitoring his progress, ensuring he is fully fit before returning to full-fledged play.
Earlier in the year, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin also compared Bumrah's influence to Shane Warne's 2005 Ashes performance, highlighting his unique action and impact on every batter in the Australian team. Haddin noted that Bumrah's absence would significantly impact India's chances.
As Bumrah continues to lead the Indian attack, the cricketing world remains hopeful that he can stay healthy and continue showcasing his exceptional talent for years to come, potentially joining the ranks of legends like Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram.
