 "Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and had recently been adjudged the 'ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024'. AP")
Jasprit Bumrah has been on a roll these past few months. After playing an important role in helping India win the T20 World Cup for a second time, the senior pacer remained in red-hot form throughout India’s recent Test assignments even as the fortunes of the Rohit Sharma-led team nosedived. Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker in the five-Test series in Australia by a fair distance, collecting 32 wickets at a stunning average of 13.06, and it was his contribution that allowed India to be competitive till the very final day of the fifth Test instead of getting rolled over 5-0.
Not only has Bumrah further cemented his legacy as a modern-day legend and one of the greatest Indian cricketers of all time, he has also been showered with a variety of accolades in recent weeks – from getting a special mention by singer Chris Martin during British rock band Coldplay’s concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to being named the ‘ICC Cricketer of the Year 2024’ .
New Zealand pace great Tim Southee for one, does agree with the notion that Bumrah is, simply put, the best bowler in the world right now across formats.
“I think he’s been a phenomenal bowler for a long time. He’s obviously had a number of setbacks with his back injury and having to go down the road of having surgery. And then the way he’s come back, he’s always come back an even better bowler. And I think you look at him across all three formats, he’s probably the best bowler in the world at the moment across all three formats. And that’s such a hard thing to do is juggle the chopping and changing nature of the three formats,” Southee told Firstpost in an exclusive chat on the sidelines of the ILT20, where he’s captaining Sharjah Warriorz this season.
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“So yeah, just a tremendous bowler and a guy that’s enjoyable to watch and good for, I guess, world cricket to have such an exciting time,” added the 36-year-old.
Rohit a mix between Kohli and Dhoni: Southee
While Bumrah has been at the top of the world, the high of winning the T20 World Cup has quickly evaporated for captain and white-ball legend Rohit, whose Test numbers with the bat have been abysmal with just one half-century in the five-day format since September.
Not only have Rohit’s critics called for him to be sacked as captain, many fans and some experts have even called for the team management to look past Rohit and modern-day legend Virat Kohli, at least in Test cricket, with the two stalwarts going through a prolonged dry patch.
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Southee happens to be among a handful of cricketers – Indian as well as overseas cricketers – to have played under the leadership of Rohit, Kohli as well as former India and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni. The pacer had played under Dhoni’s leadership at CSK in 2011 and was part of the Rohit-led Mumbai Indians in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Indian Premier League, helping the five-time champions win the latter season. Southee then played under Kohli’s leadership at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2018 and 2019.
And when asked to compare the captaincy styles of the three, Southee – who has led the Black Caps in 14 Tests as well as 29 T20Is and a solitary ODI – felt they were all “different in their own way”.
“Yeah, I’ve been very fortunate to play under those three. I was very young when I played under MS Dhoni. It was such an honour to, I guess, play in the same team and be led by Dhoni. Such a cool, calm person and captain. So I think his calmness shows in the way that he plays cricket and the way he’s led for such a long time. Virat is obviously a very passionate person, wears his heart on his sleeve, but certainly backs his players.”
And despite his legacy as captain taking a major hit with the 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand as well as the 1-3 series loss in Australia , Southee had good things to say for Rohit the captain.
“And I think, yeah, you look at Rohit, and he’s probably a bit of a mix between the two of them. Understands the game very well, backs his players, and has a good mix between, I guess, the calmness and also the passion as well. So yeah, three very good leaders, but also three different leaders in their own way as well,” Southee added.
‘Really enjoying my time here at Sharjah’
Southee is currently leading Sharjah Warriorz in the third season, and his leadership certainly has had a positive effect on the franchise. The Warriorz had failed to qualify for the playoffs in the inaugural edition in 2023 as well as last year, finishing fifth out of six teams in Season 1 and at the bottom of the table the next year.
The Warriorz were off to a poor start this season as well, losing five out of their first seven games this season which led to speculations of the team missing out on the playoffs this season as well. However, a nine-wicket thrashing of Dubai Capitals on Tuesday followed by a four-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders has revived their campaign in the business end of the season.
With four wins in nine games, the Sharjah Warriorz sit at the third spot on the table tied on eight points with MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals. And a victory over Emirates in their final league game on Sunday could well seal their maiden entry into the ILT20 playoffs.
“Yeah, it’s been great It’s been a tournament, obviously, that I’ve first year been a part of, watched it from afar for the last couple of years, so it’s great to be here. I’ve got a great group of players and really enjoying my time here at Sharjah.
“There’s six great teams and it’s obviously been hard for Sharjah to push for those playoff spots in the previous two years. But like every other team here, we’re looking to make those playoffs and go as deep into the tournament as we can. I think we’ve certainly got the squad to do that.
“So hopefully this year is a much better year for the Sharjah Warriorz,” he added.
A Bombay Bong with an identity crisis. Passionately follow cricket. Hardcore fan of Team India, the Proteas and junk food. Self-proclaimed shutterbug.