Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the best all-format fast bowler in history following his outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, overlooking his former teammate and pace bowling legend Glenn McGrath.
Jasprit Bumrah claimed 32 wickets at an impressive average of 13.06, showcasing his lethal skills throughout the five-match Test series and clinching the Player of the Series award. However, the Indian pacer’s tournament came to an unfortunate halt when he sustained an injury during Australia’s first innings in the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Michael Clarke hails Jasprit Bumrah as the greatest all-format bowler, overlooking legends like Glenn McGrath
Bumrah finished just two wickets shy of equalling Sydney Barnes’ record of 34 wickets in a Test series by a touring pace bowler to Australia, set back in 1911-12. Meanwhile, Michael Clarke has praised Jasprit Bumrah as the greatest fast bowler ever across all three formats of the game, overlooking legends like Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s remarkable performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Clarke pointed out that legends like Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath were exceptional, but they didn’t play T20 cricket, and that’s why he feels Bumrah is much better than the former Australia and West Indies legends.
According to the former Australian skipper, Bumrah stands out for his ability to dominate in all three formats of the game, regardless of the conditions, and called him a “freak” bowler. His versatility and consistency across formats make him a unique talent, and that’s why Clarke honored the Indian pacer as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
This guy’s a freak: Michael Clarke on Jasprit Bumrah
Michael Clarke said on ESPN’s Around The Wicket: “The thing I’ve thought about Bumrah after the series finished and I was sitting and thinking about his performances, I actually think he’s the best fast bowler ever across all three formats.
I know a lot of great fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath; they didn’t get to play T20 cricket, so I’m not talking about those guys, but in regards to anyone who has played all three formats, I think he might be the best ever. He’s actually that good in any conditions; that’s what makes him great: any conditions, any format—this guy’s a freak.”
Meanwhile, India was bowled out for just 157 runs in the second innings, and Australia chased down the 162-run target in just 27 overs to win the New Year’s Test by six wickets at the SCG and lift the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. However, Bumrah could bowl during Australia’s chase.
Michael Clarke says Jasprit Bumrah’s absence cost India the Sydney Test
However, Michael Clarke believes that India fell short by about 20 runs in Sydney, saying with a 180-run lead and Jasprit Bumrah in the team, India would have likely won the final Test. He called Bumrah a game-changer, who could have turned the table in the New Year’s Test at the SCG against Australia.
Clarke signed off by saying, “I reckon India was probably 20 runs short [in Sydney]. I reckon a 180 lead, with Bumrah in the team, I think India is home. I think Bumrah is that good… He’s so much better than the other bowlers they had in the team.”