The world of cricket is currently buzzing with discussions and debates surrounding the top fast bowlers in the game. Amidst these conversations, England's seasoned campaigner, James Anderson, has found himself the subject of lavish praise, with some even suggesting he is second only to India's Jasprit Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah has been in sensational form recently. In the ongoing Test series against England, Bumrah has already broken records. He surpassed Wasim Akram to become the leading Asian wicket-taker in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Further, he became the first Asian bowler to reach 150 Test wickets in SENA countries, a testament to his ability to perform in diverse and challenging overseas conditions. In the first Test against England in Leeds, Bumrah showcased his mastery by taking a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 83. This performance not only helped India secure a narrow lead but also cemented his reputation as a game-changer.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has lauded Bumrah's bowling prowess, drawing comparisons to the legendary Shane Warne. He emphasized Bumrah's unique skill and expressed hope for his continued fitness. Hussain noted that Bumrah's ability to deceive batters is akin to Warne's mastery of spin, making him a captivating player to watch.

England's Ben Duckett also joined the chorus of admirers, hailing Bumrah as the "best bowler in the world". Duckett emphasized Bumrah's adaptability, noting his effectiveness on both flat Indian pitches and swinging English conditions. He spoke about the difficulty of facing Bumrah, particularly due to his ability to bowl various deliveries without any discernible change in action.

Adding to the accolades, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar drew a parallel between Bumrah and Sir Richard Hadlee, praising Bumrah's knack for taking wickets even on unresponsive pitches. Manjrekar highlighted Bumrah's impact, stating that he has the rare ability to "manufacture a wicket every time he came into the attack".

The English media has also been effusive in their praise. Veteran writer Scyld Berry described Bumrah as "the finest red-ball fast bowler that ever drew breath," while Steven Finn highlighted Bumrah's consistency across all formats, calling him "the most consistent fast bowler in history".

While the praise for Bumrah has been widespread, it indirectly shines a light on other prominent bowlers, including England's James Anderson. Anderson, with his remarkable longevity and impressive record, continues to be a force in international cricket. As of February 2024, he was ranked among the top Test bowlers in the world. Anderson holds the record for the most Test wickets taken by a fast bowler, being the first to surpass 700 wickets. He has also played the most Test matches for England.

While comparisons between bowlers from different eras are always subjective, the current sentiment suggests that James Anderson is still a world-class bowler. The stats also show how good James Anderson is. In his Test career to date, James Anderson has played 188 matches and taken 704 wickets, with an average of 26.46.

Ultimately, whether one considers Bumrah or Anderson as the top bowler is a matter of opinion. Both bowlers have demonstrated exceptional skill, resilience, and a remarkable ability to perform at the highest level.