Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
World No. 1 Test bowler Ashwin is happy that India, which is a batsman-dominated country, celebrates Jasprit Bumrah, who for him is a once-in-a generation bowler and also the most valuable Indian cricketer right now.
World No. 1 Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to lead India’s spin attack in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to start on September 19 at his home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ahead of the start of the home series, 37-year-old Ashwin, who has 517 wickets to his name in 100 Tests played so far, has reserved big praise for his 30-year-old teammate Jasprit Bumrah and called him the most valuable Indian cricketer right now.
According to the Chennai-born cricketer, he is so glad and happy that India, which is a batsman-dominated country, celebrates Bumrah, who for him is a once-in-a-generation bowler. The 2011 ODI World Cup winner feels Bumrah should be treated as champion.
Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, “India has always been the country that is a batsman-dominated country, and it’s never going to change. But I am so glad and happy that we are celebrating Jasprit Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler. We should celebrate him even more. We Chennai people appreciate bowlers a lot. He was here for an event as a chief guest 4-5 days ago. We gave him a Rajni treatment. We (Chennai people) treat bowlers very nicely. He should be treated as a champion. I don’t want to name, but Jasprit Bumrah is the most valuable Indian cricketer right now.”
Bumrah, who missed the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 World Test Championship final due to a back injury, made his comeback to competitive cricket last year in August, and since then he has been in red-hot form. He dismissed 20 batters in the ODI World Cup 2023 and then picked up 19 wickets in four Tests played against England earlier this year.
After his super show with the ball in the second Test against Ben Stokes-led side in Vizag, Bumrah reached the No. 1 position in ICC Test rankings, which also helped him create history and become the first ever bowler in the world to be crowned as No. 1 in all three formats of the game.
Bumrah, who is named in India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, last played for Men in Blue in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he picked up 15 wickets in eight matches. For his super show in the 20-team tournament, the right-arm fast bowler won the Player of the Series award.