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Australian cricketing superstar Steve Smith hailed Jasprit Bumrah from India as the best fast bowler across all three formats in an exclusive interview ahead of the five-match Test series between both the nations down under, beginning on November 22. The latest instalment of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which has been won by the Indian cricket team on the last four occasions 2-1, is expected to be a keenly contested affair with some of the best cricketers in the world on show from both sides.
Notably, in his first Test appearance since March, Jasprit Bumrah picked up five wickets against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, to play a key role in helping India take 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series with a 280-run victory. Meanwhile, Steve Smith is currently a part of Australia team in the five-match ODI series against England, which they lead 2-0 after the completion of two matches despite no real impact with the bat from him.
He's a great bowler, arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats: Steve Smith on Jasprit Bumrah
During his exclusive interview with Star Sports, Steve Smith, who has had some exciting battles against Jasprit Bumrah in all formats of the game, heaped praises on the Indian fast bowler for his versatility. He was quoted as saying, “He's a wonderful bowler, whether I face him with the new ball, slightly older ball, or even the old ball. He's got great skills with all of them. He's a great bowler, arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats. It's always going to be a challenge.”
In the Test format, Jasprit Bumrah has dismissed Steve Smith only once, castling him around his legs during the famous win at Melbourne Cricket Ground for India in 2020. The right-handed batter has played 114 balls from Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 52 runs with seven fours during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, which India managed to clinch 2-1 against the odds down under.
Moreover, in the ODI format, Jasprit Bumrah has picked up Steve Smith’s wicket twice after conceding 102 runs in 121 balls with 12 fours, while in the T20I format, it hasn’t happened yet for an Indian fast bowler. In the franchise cricket, Smith has seen quite a lot of Bumrah, getting dismissed to him thrice while scoring at a below par strike-rate.
