Jasprit Bumrah is best fast bowler across all formats: Michael Clarke

Jasprit Bumrah attained 'god' status after his once-in-a-lifetime showing in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. The Indian pacer finished the series head and shoulders above the other bowlers, picking up 32 wickets while averaging an absurd 13.06 with the ball. 

Bumrah has been equally impressive throughout the year, picking up 71 wickets in 2024, averaging 14.92, one of the best years for any pacer in the sport's history. Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke hailed Bumrah’s influence, calling him the ‘best pacer’ across all formats. 

"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," Clarke told ESPN's Around The Wicket.

It wasn’t that Bumrah was only impressive in Australia but also mightly effective at home against England and Bangladesh, where he averaged 16.89 and 12.81, respectively, helping India to series wins. 

"I know a lot of great fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, 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."

Unfortunately, Bumrah wasn’t fit enough to bowl in the fourth innings of the Sydney Test, which meant that Australia could comfortably chase down 162 without any qualms. Clarke also insisted that India were 20 runs and Bumrah short in the run-chase, which helped Australia reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in eight years. 

"I reckon India were probably 20 runs short [in Sydney]," Clarke said. "I reckon a 180 lead, with Bumrah in the team, I think India are home. I think Bumrah is that good… he's so much better than the other bowlers they had in the team."