Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has reserved high praise for Jasprit Bumrah, saying that the star pacer deserves to lead India when Rohit Sharma retires as he has never seen a player make such a profound impact in a single series. The 54-year-old, who represented Australia in 27 Tests and 117 ODIs over a decade-long career, compared Bumrah to legendary bowlers like Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath.
AUS vs IND, 4TH TEST: FULL SCORECARD
Bumrah’s performances reached extraordinary heights at the end of 2024, producing sensational bowling performances in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
“I presume he (Bumrah) is the next captain when Rohit finishes. He did a really good job in Perth. He is the best bowler I have ever seen live. I have seen Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and all but I have not seen a bowler have impact like him in a single series like Jasprit Bumrah has since Mitchell Johnson in 2013-14 Ashes win,” Lehmann told the news agency PTI.
“This is very similar as Bumrah already has 30 wickets. He has been outstanding to watch. He will do well when he gets a chance to lead India.”
Bumrah-led India and delivered a stunning performance in the series opener, taking five wickets in Australia’s first innings, helping India secure a 46-run lead despite a modest total of 150. In the second innings, he dismissed three more batters, leading India to an emphatic 295-run victory. Bumrah continued his dominance, taking four crucial wickets in the Adelaide Pink ball Test. The Indian pace spearhead followed this up with nine dismissals apiece in the third and fourth Tests, played at The Gabba and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, respectively.
Bumrah delivered outstanding figures of 6/76 and 3/18 at the Gabba, while at the MCG, he registered 4/99 and 5/57. During the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Bumrah achieved a historic milestone, becoming India’s most successful Test bowler in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Additionally, he became the first bowler in the world to claim over 200 Test wickets with an average of less than 20.
