Former Pakistan opening batsman Salman Butt recently showered a lot of praise on India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Comparing his role to that played by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the 1990s and early 2000s, Butt advised India to use their asset in Bumrah very wisely.
Jasprit Bumrah has been the leader of India’s resurgent pace attack over the last few years and continues to terrorize batsmen in all formats of the sport. He’s also expected to prove vital in the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton which begins on June 18.
Salman Butt even went on to add that in a world of Toyotas and Corollas, Bumrah was a Ferrari, a Lamborghini. He also mentioned that using him in valuable and important matches increases the team’s chances of winning.
“In simple words, he is not a Toyota or a Corolla. Bowlers like him are of the caliber of Ferrari, Lamborghini the big end cars, the special event cars. With such bowlers, you need to ensure you use them judiciously. With him, you have to select the occasions and conditions properly. And when you do that, you increase your timeline with him. The more he is used in valuable matches, the better output he will give. Bumrah is unique and at the moment, he is one of the best,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.
Since bursting on to the scene with Mumbai Indians in IPL, Bumrah has gone on to carve an immense reputation in the world of cricket. In 19 Tests he has picked up 83 wickets. Bumrah also has 167 wickets in 117 white-ball matches.
Butt also spoke about Bumrah’s efficiency and the way he prevents batsmen from scoring during his overs in high-pressure situations, therefore becoming a valuable asset for the captain to use.
“Bumrah is the one the captain turns to. If you look at Rohit Sharma, he mostly makes him bowl one over at the beginning and saves him for the last six overs. Why? Because the captain trusts him that if the opposition needs to get 30-40 off them, in Bumrah’s over, he won’t let you get the runs and pick up wickets too.
“His worth in the Indian team is what Wasim and Waqar’s was for Pakistan. They did not allow 30-40 runs to be scored with five wickets remaining. They would get them out. Bumrah has that quality that wins India matches in the end; his dot ball percentage is great, has great control over his yorkers. He can deceive in his action, slower ball, and the quick bouncer. He is a priceless asset for his team and captain,” he concluded.
