Published 13:15 IST, September 4th 2019
Irfan Pathan names India's 'most important' player, makes big claim
Joining the train of people lauding Jasprit Bumrah was former Indian all-rounder and mentor of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Irfan Pathan.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been in a spectacular form, steamrolling through the West Indies in the longer format of the game, announcing his return to the field after the World Cup in style. From skipper Virat Kohli to former cricketers, Jasprit Bumrah has earned praises from the whole of the cricketing fraternity for his brutal pace attack that left the Windies crippled. Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in sensational form, claimed a five-wicket haul (5/7) in the first Test in Antigua. He followed it up by becoming only the third Indian to take a Test hat-trick in the ongoing second Test. Joining the train of people lauding Bumrah was former Indian all-rounder and mentor of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Irfan Pathan.
Irfan Pathan all praises for Bumrah
Just a day after skipper Virat Kohli hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the most 'complete bowler' in the world, Irfan Pathan touted Jasprit Bumrah to be the best bowler for India across all the three formats of the game. Terming Bumrah as an 'important part' of the team, Irfan Pathan said that Bumrah's absence will hurt India more than anyone else's as such is the quality and consistent performance of the speedster. The former all-rounder said that it was essential for India to take care of talents like Jasprit Bumrah who can deliver for the team across all the three formats of the game. Irfan Pathan, who was the second Indian to grab a Test hat-trick against Pakistan in 2006, said that Jasprit Bumrah will go on to have more hat-tricks in the future. Irfan Pathan also dedicated his hat-trick against Pakistan in 2006 to his family.
Virat Kohli lauds Bumrah
India skipper Virat Kohli feels Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete bowler in world cricket right now and with his work ethic, the speedster has long shed the tag of being just a T20 specialist. Bumrah was called a T20 specialist when he first burst into the scene but Kohli said the 25-year-old pacer has proved to be invaluable in all formats with his work ethic. "He confuses with his angles, swing, and pace. I think he is the most complete bowler in world cricket right now," Kohli said after India's 257-run win in the second Test in which Bumrah claimed a hat-trick. It's really pleasing to see a guy who was tagged a T20 specialist, he came and took over the ODI scene and now Test cricket. He is proving people wrong that there is a set template for every format," he added. Bumrah became only the third Indian cricketer to register a Test hat-trick during his lethal opening spell in the West Indies' first innings here. And Kohli said as a captain, he is lucky to have him in the ranks. "He (Bumrah) definitely wants to be the best bowler in the world. He has moulded his life like that, he has moulded his discipline, his work ethic. The way he trains, the way he takes care of his diet, he has absolute control over what he is doing," he said.
Updated 14:07 IST, September 4th 2019