Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, calling him one of the best multi-format bowlers in the world over the past few years.

Indian pacer’s unique skillset

In an interview with ICC Review, Ponting emphasized Bumrah’s unique skillset, which includes his unconventional bowling action and variations.

“I’ve said it for a long time, he’s probably been the best multi-format bowler there’s been in world cricket for the last five or six years,” Ponting said.

Ponting believes that Bumrah’s unique bowling action, combined with his accuracy and control, makes him a difficult bowler to face even for the best batsmen in the world.

“The greatest way to always get a real gauge on these players is by asking (other) players. And when you talk to opposition batsmen about him (Bumrah) in particular, it’s always, ‘No, he’s a nightmare! You never know what’s going to happen,” he added.

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Return to form

Ponting also addressed the concerns that arose about Bumrah’s fitness a few years ago when he suffered injuries. However, Ponting believes that Bumrah has come back from those injuries stronger than ever.

“There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries come in and ‘would he come back the same?’, but I think he’s actually come back better,” Australian legend stated.

Consistency and skill

Ponting further highlighted Bumrah’s consistency and skill, which have allowed him to maintain his high level of performance over a sustained period.

“One’s going to swing, one’s going to seam, he’s going to bowl an in-swinger, he’s going to bowl an out-swinger,” he said, describing Bumrah’s variations.

Ponting compared Bumrah to other legendary fast bowlers like Glenn McGrath and James Anderson, praising their longevity and ability to maintain their skills throughout their careers.

“When you’ve got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you’re going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest,” Ponting added.

A rising legend

Bumrah’s rise to prominence has been meteoric, and he has quickly established himself as one of the most feared bowlers in international cricket. His ability to extract pace and bounce from any surface, coupled with his accuracy and control, has made him a valuable asset for the Indian team across all formats.

Ponting’s praise for Bumrah is a testament to the Indian pacer’s exceptional talent and impact on the game. As Bumrah continues to evolve and mature, it will be fascinating to see how his career unfolds and what further heights he can reach.

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