Rishi Dhawan Praises Jasprit Bumrah as Top Fast Bowler in Cricket
Rishi Dhawan's Endorsement of Bumrah
In Dubai on October 8, former Indian fast bowler Rishi Dhawan expressed his strong support for Jasprit Bumrah, declaring him the leading fast bowler in international cricket today. Dhawan emphasized Bumrah's remarkable ability to adapt to different formats while consistently performing at an elite level.
Dhawan stated, "Jasprit Bumrah stands out because his performance across all formats is consistently exceptional. He has an incredible knack for adapting, and his contributions are always at the highest standard. When he is part of the team, we feel assured, knowing he has two overs left, which boosts our confidence in securing a win."
The 36-year-old highlighted Bumrah's versatility and dedication, noting his impressive variations in T20 matches and his skill in swinging the ball in Test cricket.
"Bumrah's adaptability is commendable, and he has invested significant effort into refining his skills. In T20s, his variations are outstanding, and in Test matches, he consistently swings the ball both ways while maintaining accuracy. This is why I view him as a complete bowler," he remarked.
Additionally, Dhawan supported the return of seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami to the Indian squad, especially following Bhuvneshwar Kumar's inclusion in the T20I team for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
"Absolutely. He has been working incredibly hard in domestic cricket. He is not just playing sporadically; he is participating in full seasons and delivering impressive performances. I hope the selectors recognize the value of having a fit and experienced fast bowler like him. We would love to see him back in the Indian team," he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar received a call-up to Team India after a four-year hiatus, as the squad for the five T20Is against New Zealand was announced on Tuesday. The series is set to commence on October 22, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches.
If given the opportunity, Bhuvneshwar could play his first international match since the T20 World Cup semifinal against England in 2022. Since then, he has made a strong comeback with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, taking 45 wickets in 31 matches with an average of 22.55 and an economy rate of 8.52, contributing to the franchise's consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026.
Rishi Dhawan also stressed the significance of experience within India's fast-bowling lineup, particularly with Shami working diligently to regain his place through domestic competitions.
With Bumrah leading India's pace attack, Dhawan believes that the return of seasoned players like Shami could significantly enhance the team's bowling depth across all formats.
Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final and has not participated in a Test match since the 2023 World Test Championship final.
Despite his absence from the national team, Shami has remained active in domestic and first-class cricket, striving for another chance to represent India.
"Yes, absolutely. In whatever domestic cricket he is playing, he is putting in immense hard work. We can see that he is playing full seasons—it's not like he plays one match and rests the next. He is playing complete seasons and delivering strong performances. Hopefully, the selectors will recognize the need for an experienced, fit fast bowler like him. We would definitely love to see him back in the Indian team," Dhawan reiterated.