Former England international Steven Finn has ignited a fiery debate, boldly claiming that Jasprit Bumrah is not just good, but potentially “the most complete fast bowler of all time.” This isn’t faint praise; Finn puts Bumrah shoulders above contemporary greats like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.
What prompted such a declaration? Finn points to Bumrah’s exceptional 5/83 in the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley. In Finn’s eyes, that performance was “a cut above” anything ever witnessed at the historic ground, a venue that has seen its fair share of cricketing legends.
Bumrah’s Headingley fifer was more than just statistics. On a pitch offering little to no assistance to most bowlers, he truly showcased the pinnacle of his skills. This wasn’t his first rodeo in England, but these five wickets underscored his elite status. With this feat, he became the first Indian bowler to claim three five-wicket hauls in England, matched Kapil Dev’s record of 12 away fifers, and cemented his place as the highest wicket-taking Asian bowler in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
Finn elaborated on his conviction in his BBC column, stating, “It is getting harder and harder to reject the claim that India’s Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete fast bowler of all time.” He continued, “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.”
This ringing endorsement from a seasoned paceman like Finn certainly adds considerable weight to the argument for Bumrah’s unparalleled mastery.
