Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly one of the best pacers of all times and his name may not feature prominently in the Purple Cap race of the IPL 2025 as most of the teams prefer to play safe on his bowling but his influence on the game far exceeds traditional metrics.
Known for his pinpoint accuracy and disciplined spells, Jasprit Bumrah often faces cautious strategies from opposing teams that prefer to play him out rather than attack, limiting his opportunities for high wicket tallies. Despite that, his four-over spells continue to leave an undeniable mark on every match.
In the seven matches he has played this season, Jasprit Bumrah has bowled a total of 69 deliveries, maintaining an average of nearly 10 dot balls per game — more than any bowler with an economy rate under 8. Only Khaleel Ahmed and Josh Hazlewood have a better dot ball percentage but both have conceded runs at a higher rate in every outing. Bumrah, in contrast, boasts an exceptional economy of just 6.96.
His return to the Mumbai Indians lineup, after missing the first four games due to a back injury, coincided with a significant turnaround in the team’s fortunes. Since his comeback, MI have won six of their seven matches, surging to the top of the table. Although his first two appearances post-injury were modest, he went wicketless against RCB and was taken for 44 by DC but since then, Jasprit Bumrah has rediscovered his devastating rhythm. In his last two games against LSG and RR, he has claimed six wickets for only 37 runs over eight overs.
This extraordinary consistency and impact across formats have led Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist to place Bumrah in the rarest league of cricketing excellence. Comparing his dominance to that of Sir Donald Bradman, Gilchrist pointed out that Bumrah’s statistical superiority and skill across varying conditions place him far ahead of his contemporaries, much like Bradman’s unmatched batting average of nearly 100. He emphasised that Bumrah’s adaptability and control, regardless of the surface or situation, make him arguably the greatest fast bowler of all time.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s performance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, Gilchrist recalled how the Indian pacer consistently troubled the Australian lineup. Despite India losing the series by 1-3, Bumrah emerged as the top wicket-taker with 32 dismissals at a stunning average of 13. According to Gilchrist, the Australian players found themselves truly challenged by an Indian fast bowler in a way rarely seen before, admitting there was a genuine sense of intimidation when facing Bumrah.
Former Indian spinner Murali Karthik echoed these sentiments, calling Bumrah a “national treasure”. He praised the fast bowler’s ability to read conditions quickly and adjust his length accordingly, something few bowlers can match. Murali Karthik noted that Bumrah doesn’t stick to a fixed length but adapts fluidly to the demands of the pitch. His unorthodox action, combined with sharp skills and an astute cricketing mind allows him to stay a step ahead of batters across the globe.
As the IPL 2025 progresses, Bumrah continues to prove that his greatness isn’t measured by just wickets or awards but by the control, fear and admiration he commands every time he runs in to bowl.
