Ricky Ponting named the Indian star as the best all-format pacer in the world
Photo: IANS
KEY POINTS
- Ricky Ponting named world’s best pacer across all formats
- Ponting praised the Indian runner
- Ponting compared the 30-year-old to James Anderson and Glenn McGrath.
Two-time world champion captain Ricky Ponting He made a bold statement and snubbed his countrymen Star Mitchell, Pat Cumminsand Josh Hazlewood while naming an Indian star as the best all-format bowler in the world ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The former Delhi Capitals coach claimed that Bumrah has been the best in the world in all three formats for the last 5-6 years. Ponting also claimed that Bumrah has returned from his long injury break last year as a better keeper.
“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. “There may have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries came and ‘would he come back the same?’, but I think he’s actually come back better,
“If I look at what he did in the T20 World Cup, the pace is still there, nothing has changed in terms of accuracy or what he can offer. The skill set is the same. He is improving year on year. So, he would be in the top rankings,” Ponting told ICC Review.
Ponting revealed that he has had conversations with opposition batsmen about facing Bumrah, who claim that playing against the Indian star is a nightmare. Ponting drew comparisons between Bumrah and legendary batsmen Glenn McGrath and James Anderson.
“The best way to always get a real feel for these players is to ask (other) players. 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. One is going to swing, one is going to seam, one is going to bowl an inswing, one is going to bowl an outswing. And the consistency is there. ’
“So when you have that skill set 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 sustain themselves over such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest,” Ponting added.
Bumrah was the star of India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup with 15 wickets in eight games at an astonishing economy of 4.17. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament (POTM) award after India beat South Africa in the final to lift the trophy after 17 years.
Bumrah is expected to make a comeback in the home Test series against Bangladesh or New Zealand. He will be India’s biggest asset as they aim to create history and win three consecutive Test series on Australian soil later this year.
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