Chappell: Bumrah Combines the Best Traits of Lillee and Roberts
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New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell, who has also served as the head coach for India, asserts that Jasprit Bumrah embodies the finest qualities of legendary fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Andy Roberts. He emphasized that Bumrah is currently the key player preventing Australia from clinching the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"I have always maintained that Dennis Lillee and Andy Roberts were the most complete fast bowlers I encountered. How does Bumrah, with his unconventional action and exceptional control, compare with these two legends and other greats of contemporary fast bowling?
"Bumrah, while not overtly aggressive, channels Lillee's knack for disconcerting batsmen. His lethal yorkers and unpredictable bounce—particularly due to his unique release point and trajectory—reflect Lillee's ability to dominate play. Bumrah's subdued intensity and accuracy make him a daunting opponent, reminiscent of Lillee's relentless fierceness.
"Bumrah also mirrors Roberts' strategic mindset. Both bowlers utilize subtle variations to outsmart batsmen, emphasizing tactics over sheer power. Bumrah's performance during the 2018 Boxing Day Test against Australia, which concluded with figures of 6-33, was a modern-day reflection of Roberts' pivotal match-changing spells. Bumrah exemplifies this versatility," Chappell elaborated in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday.
Since making his Test debut for India against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018, Bumrah has been a revelation, amassing 185 wickets in 42 matches to date. He is the current leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with 12 wickets from two matches, including eight wickets in India's 295-run victory in Perth.
"With 151 wickets at an average of 21.03 in just 30 Tests, his ability to thrive in various conditions is reminiscent of Marshall's dominance. Bumrah's reverse swing on abrasive pitches and his capacity to seam and swing the ball in overcast conditions have been crucial, creating the same uncertainty that batsmen experienced against Marshall. As Ian Botham famously noted about Marshall, 'He gave you no respite'. Today, batsmen express similar frustrations about Bumrah.
"Having already undergone back surgery, his long-term career remains uncertain, but if he continues, his name will be mentioned alongside the greats. What distinguishes Bumrah is his blend of skills: Marshall's adaptability, Lillee's aggression, Hadlee's control, Roberts' strategy, Wasim and Waqar's reverse swing, McGrath's precision, Steyn's explosiveness, and Rabada's modern versatility. As Nasser Hussain aptly pointed out, 'He’s the complete bowler'.
"While the legends of prior eras laid the groundwork, Bumrah is forging his own legacy—one that promises to motivate future generations of fast bowlers. Fast bowling, cricket's most captivating spectacle, thrives through these icons.
"Bumrah, with his unconventional brilliance, stands among them, embodying the heavy artillery that Ian Chappell has so eloquently described. Make no mistake, Bumrah is the barrier between Australia and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," Chappell concluded.
