Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a debate about the recognition given to Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting that the fast bowler deserves to be celebrated on par with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Ashwin voiced his opinion, highlighting that Bumrah's contributions to Indian cricket are often not as elevated as those of the celebrated batsmen.
Ashwin didn't hold back in his praise for Bumrah, even stating that he considers Bumrah to be "above" many Indian batters. He emphasized that Bumrah doesn't receive the same level of recognition as Tendulkar, Kohli, or Rohit. Despite acknowledging that Bumrah has considerable respect and a large fanbase, Ashwin feels it's not quite the same level of adoration and celebration reserved for batting icons.
Ashwin expressed his wish for Bumrah to be celebrated with the same fervor as Tendulkar and Kohli. He stated that while Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar are highly esteemed, Bumrah's achievements and impact should be equally acknowledged. He admired Bumrah's unique bowling action and exceptional execution skills. Ashwin also playfully mentioned being Bumrah's number one fan, even suggesting friendly competition with Bumrah's wife for the top spot.
Bumrah's recent performances have solidified his position as a world-class bowler. He has consistently delivered fiery spells and economical bowling, frustrating batsmen with his variations in length and unplayable deliveries. His ability to single-handedly turn matches around has made him an invaluable asset to the Indian team. In the first Test against England, Bumrah's exceptional bowling was a major positive for India. He also achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the only Asian cricketer to take 150 Test wickets in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, surpassing legends like Wasim Akram, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Waqar Younis.
Ashwin also highlighted Bumrah's overall value, noting that Bumrah is widely recognized as the finest pace bowler of this generation. He lauded Bumrah's unique bowling action and exceptional execution skills. Ashwin didn't directly answer a question about whether Bumrah is a player every team in the world would want, but he made it clear how highly he regards the pacer.
Ashwin's comments underscore a broader point about the way cricket, especially in India, tends to lionize its batting heroes more than its bowlers. While match-winning batsmen are often placed on a pedestal, the contributions of bowlers, who are equally crucial in securing victories, sometimes get comparatively less recognition. Ashwin's strong advocacy for Bumrah aims to address this imbalance, pushing for a more equitable appreciation of talent across all disciplines of the game. He believes that Bumrah's exceptional skills and match-winning performances warrant the same level of celebration and respect accorded to the likes of Tendulkar, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
