Former England pacer Steven Finn has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, labelling the Indian star as the ‘most complete fast bowler of all time’, shoulders above his counterparts like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Finn’s assessment came after Bumrah returned with a five-wicket haul (5/83) in England’s first innings of the ongoing Leeds Test.

According to Finn, Bumrah’s fifer at Headingley was ‘a cut above’ anything ever seen at the centuries-old venue.

On a flat track where most bowlers were getting no assistance, Bumrah made the ball talk and dismissed half the English team, which included the prized scalps of Joe Root, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.

This was his 10th five-wicket haul in SENA nations, becoming the first-ever Indian to reach this milestone. Two more fifers will take him past Pakistan legend Wasim Akram (11 SENA fifers).

This was also Bumrah's 12th five-wicket haul in away Tests, equalling the feat of former Indian skipper Kapil Dev.

“It is getting harder and harder to reject the claim that India’s Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete fast bowler of all time," Finn wrote in his column for BBC.

“The impact he has on a match every time he bowls is remarkable and he has been a cut above anything else we have seen in the first Test at Headingley. Bumrah took 5-83 in England’s first innings, along with having three catches dropped and Harry Brook caught off a no-ball," he added.

“Whenever Bumrah gets the ball in his hand it is box-office viewing. It feels as though something is happening every ball. He makes the bowlers at the other end look as though they are playing a different sport. He can leave the best players in the world confused about what has just happened. A whir of arms, a flick of his wrist, and the ball has hit you before you know it," he further stated.

Finn also offered insights into Bumrah’s unorthodox bowling action, and how his uncanny arm, wrist and release positions make him a nightmare for batters. Moreover, he acknowledged Bumrah’s shrewd mindset.

“In a climate where the disparity between the Test and T20 formats for bowlers is becoming wider and requiring a differing range of skills, Bumrah is the best in both," Finn said.

“Bumrah is a thinker about the game and would have been India’s first choice as the new Test captain has it not been for his struggle to play in every match. He took the decision himself to not pursue the job as he did not feel it was fair on the team."

“We’re lucky to be in an era of great fast bowlers. From recent international retirees Stuart Broad and James Anderson, to Kagiso Rabada, [Pat] Cummins, [Josh] Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Bumrah sits atop of them all as the finest fast bowler to have played the game. Some accolade," he remarked.

Jasprit Bumrah’s spell helped India gain a meagre first-innings lead of 6 runs in the Leeds Test. The tourists ended the third day, which was cut short due to rain, at 90/2 in the second innings, extending their lead to 96 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) and Sai Sudarshan (30) were the dismissed batters, while KL Rahul (47*) and skipper Shubman Gill (6*) returned unbeaten at stumps.