Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Jasprit Bumrah: Who is the best bowler across all three formats?: India’s fast bowling revolution, thanks primarily to two names – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Together, they played 66 matches across all formats between 2016 and 2022 and gave Indian cricket a new identity. While Bumrah has become one of the greatest players of the modern era, Bhuvneshwar, once India’s “Swing King,” has gradually faded from the international setup. Nevertheless, the Meerut-born seamer’s charisma remains intact in the IPL and domestic tournaments.
Let’s compare the performances of these two legends across all three formats:
Test Cricket (The Ultimate Test)
In the red-ball format, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned considerable renown with his bowling. Bhuvi’s performances, particularly on foreign soil, have been commendable. His 2014 tour of England is still remembered, when the seamer took 19 wickets and scored three half-centuries, earning him a place on the Lord’s Honors Board. In 21 Test matches, he took 63 wickets at an average of 26.09.
Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, has taken Test cricket by storm since his debut in 2018. In just 50 Test matches, Bumrah has taken 226 wickets at an average of 19.83, including 15 five-wicket hauls. His impressive overseas performances include match-winning spells in Australia, England, and South Africa.
Conclusion:
In terms of statistics and impact, Jasprit Bumrah has fared better than Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Test format.
ODI Cricket (The Middle Ground)
35-year-old Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Mohammad Hafeez with his very first ball in ODI cricket. Bhuvneshwar has earned considerable fame for his swing and controlled bowling. Bhuvneshwar showcased his skills to the Indian team in the 2013 Champions Trophy victory, leading the team to victory in that tournament.
On the other hand, 31-year-old Jasprit Bumrah has become one of the most important and prominent bowlers in the Indian team since his debut in 2016. His bowling variations and his calm demeanor in difficult situations make him particularly special. He has taken 149 wickets in 89 ODIs at an average of 23.55 and an economy rate of 4.59. The pair formed a strong partnership and played a key role in India’s success between 2017 and 2019.
Conclusion:
Both have performed exceptionally well in ODIs, but Bumrah’s ability and superior average in the death overs give him a slight edge.
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T20I Cricket (The Fast Lane)
If there’s one format where both bowlers have performed exceptionally well together, it’s T20Is. Bhuvneshwar has been a reliable powerplay bowler for the Indian team since the beginning, consistently taking wickets with his swing and slower deliveries. In 87 T20I matches, he has taken 90 wickets at an average of 23.10 and an economy rate of 6.96.
Meanwhile, Bumrah has been India’s mainstay fast bowler in every phase of the game. With 96 wickets in 75 T20I matches at an average of 17.85 and an economy rate of 6.35, Bumrah’s ability to handle pressure has made him a global superstar. Bumrah’s ability to take wickets with yorkers under pressure makes him a special player.
Conclusion:
Bumrah’s T20I average and economy rate are both better than Bhuvneshwar’s, making him a better option in this format as well.
Final Verdict
Comparing his performances across all three formats, it is clear that Jasprit Bumrah has become a global superstar in his short international career. His impressive average and ability to win matches across all formats make him India’s best fast bowler across all three formats.
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing and control will always be an important part of Indian cricket history.
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