NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the best fast bowler India has ever produced in the history of men’s international cricket.Bumrah finished Day 2 of the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with figures of 3 for 48 from 12 overs, standing out in an otherwise lacklustre bowling performance by India. His tally could have been even better had Ravindra Jadeja not dropped Ben Duckett at backward point when the batter was on 15.Later in the day, Bumrah also dismissed Harry Brook just before stumps, but replays revealed it was a no-ball.“There is no question he is India’s greatest fast bowler. I played with Kapil Dev but this guy is different. He can take any opposition apart, on any surface, in any format,” said Shastri in a chat with Sky Sports ahead of Day 3.He further compared Bumrah’s skill to West Indies great Malcolm Marshall. “I thought Malcolm Marshall was the best I saw in reading a batter and setting him up but this guy is not far behind. Where I have seen Bumrah improve is getting swing with the new ball. When he is swinging the new ball it becomes hard for any batter in the world to counter him, what with the action and the late release.”Despite India’s middle-order collapse, Shastri believes the team still holds the edge in the contest and could seize control if Bumrah strikes early on Day 3.
“I think India will be disappointed that they didn’t add another 75 or 80 runs but towards the end of day two, getting Root out, has evened things.”“I think they still have the upper hand. They have the runs on the board and you know what Bumrah can do. He can crack this game open in the first hour or so. If he can get a couple of wickets, India will think they can get a lead,” he added.
