Bumrah has been the star performer for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah has been the star performer for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far. While the right-arm quick claimed a match haul of eight wickets in the Perth Test win, he returned with four scalps in the pink-ball Test loss at the Adelaide Oval.
Bumrah also proved his worth in the rain-soaked third Test at the Gabba, picking up nine wickets in the match, which ended in a draw.
Speaking on Fox Sports, former Australia speedster Brett Lee hailed Bumrah as ‘world class’ and also had a word of praise for Mohammed Siraj, who has been trying to fill in the void left by Mohammad Shami.
Shami has not played for India since his appearance in the ODI World Cup final in November last year. The veteran pacer recently made his return to the competitive action through the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but the NCA is yet to certify his readiness for the rigours of Test cricket.
“He is world class, Jasprit Bumrah. Unfortunately, they had no Mohammad Shami, but I think the backing of Mohammed Siraj — there has been a bit of conjecture around him — but I think he has bowled really well,” Lee said.
“In my opinion, they have an attack that has some good pace bowlers, but the reason why people say or think he is shouldering the whole load of the attack is that he is so good.
“He is miles ahead of any other bowler, and that is no disrespect to the other bowlers going around, but that is how good he is,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Indian team management has shuffled between Harshit Rana and Akash Deep for the third pace-bowling option in the playing XI.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently stands level at 1-1. The fourth and penultimate Test of the series is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26.