Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has become the latest person to heap praise on India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Arguably the best bowler in the world across formats at the moment, Maxwell has now made an incredible prediction about Bumrah’s legacy once he retires. Presently the No. 1-ranked Test bowler in the world by ICC, Maxwell labelled Bumrah as the best bowler he has ever faced. However, Maxwell’s compliments did not stop there. Waxing lyrical about Bumrah’s skill, Maxwell made a bold prediction.
“I think Bumrah probably going to go down as the best all-format bowler of all time,” said Maxwell, in a video shared by ESPNcricinfo.
“I think he’s the best bowler I have faced,” Maxwell added.
Maxwell pointed out the aspects that makes Bumrah so special.
“His release point, because he releases it from so far out in front of himself, almost feels like he can change where he’s bowling right at the last moment. Unbelievable slow ball, great yorker, has the ability to swing it both ways; he’s got a brilliant wrist, and he’s got a good sniff. It feels like he’s got all the tricks of a really good fast bowler,” continued Maxwell.
Maxwell has faced Bumrah for Australia as well as in the IPL (Indian Premier League). In international cricket, Maxwell has faced Bumrah in 15 separate innings, with Bumrah getting his wicket on seven occasions, nearly half the time.
Bumrah is expected to star for India as they aim for a historic fifth consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in Australia later in 2024. Maxwell will not face Bumrah in the series as he is out of Australia’s Test reckonings.
Bumrah and Maxwell are also expected to be part of IPL rumour mills, with the retention announcements set to come on October 31. Bumrah is expected to be retained by Mumbai Indians (MI), but Maxwell’s future at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is up in the air.
