Is Jasprit Bumrah The Don Bradman Of Bowling?

Jasprit Bumrah and Sir Don Bradman [Source: @BUMRAHTHEGOAT93/X]

Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2025 performances have reignited a fascinating debate in cricketing circles, can the Mumbai Indians pacer be considered the Don Bradman of bowling? The comparison, initially sparked by Australian great Adam Gilchrist, is not mere hyperbole but grounded in Bumrah’s extraordinary consistency.

Gilchrist Addresses Bumrah As The Don Bradman Of Bowling

Bumrah's impact across formats and statistical dominance over his peers leads to this comparison. Adam Gilchrist fairly remarked, 

"He's maybe the best bowler, fast bowler of all time...I guess you look at Sir Donald Bradman's numbers compared to his peers and he's just so far ahead..." 

This analytical piece delves into the data and context behind Gilchrist's claim to elevate Bumrah to the greatest of the greatest pedestal.

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Bumrah, A Model of Consistency and Control

After returning from a back injury that sidelined him for four matches, Bumrah has been instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ resurgence. Since his comeback, MI have won six of seven games, with Bumrah spearheading the bowling attack. In seven IPL matches this season, he has bowled 28 overs, maintaining an exceptional economy rate of 6.96, a figure that is remarkable in the high-scoring T20 format. 

What sets Bumrah apart is his ability to consistently bowl dot balls-averaging nearly 10 dot balls per match-thereby exerting immense pressure on batters. Only Khaleel Ahmed and Josh Hazlewood have better dot ball percentages this season, but both concede over 8 runs per over, whereas Bumrah keeps his economy under 7.  

Talking of versatility, the Indian quick has got them all, swing, seam, hit the deck, yorker, slow balls, cutters, which makes him extremely lethal and difficult for batters to face.

(Table - Jasprit Bumrah's Career Stats)

Jasprit Bumrah is the only bowler with an economy less than seven (6.89) among top 50 fast bowlers, in terms of wickets, in T20 cricket since his debut game in the format back in 2013.

The Warrior With The Ball In A Jungle Of Hitters

In an era dominated by flat pitches, shorter boundaries, and power-packed bats, Bumrah’s economy rates remain astonishing—just 2.76 in Tests, 4.59 in ODIs, and 6.27 in T20Is. Even in the batting-heavy IPL, he has maintained a superb 7.28 economy across 140 matches. 

His ability to adapt, control games under pressure, and strike regularly despite challenging conditions truly sets him apart in world cricket.

Reason Behind Bumrah's Supremacy

Bumrah's bowling style is unorthodox yet highly effective. Releasing the ball approximately 34 cm ahead of the popping crease, Bumrah generates extra pace and skids the ball through, making it extremely difficult for batsmen to adjust. This bio-mechanical advantage, combined with his mastery over yorkers, slower balls, and reverse swing, has made him lethal across conditions.

Comparing Bumrah to Sir Bradman is bold but not unfounded. Bradman’s Test batting average of 99.94 is a statistical outlier, far ahead of his contemporaries. Similarly, Bumrah’s consistency and impact place him significantly ahead of his fast-bowling peers. 

A Modern-Day Legend in the Making

Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2025 performances, combined with his international exploits, justify the comparison to Don Bradman in terms of dominance and statistical superiority over peers. 

While Bradman’s batting brilliance remains unparalleled, Bumrah’s bowling mastery across conditions and formats places him in a similarly elite category in the bowling world.

As cricket evolves, players like Bumrah redefine greatness-not just through numbers but through adaptability, innovation, and impact. Whether or not history officially crowns him the “Bradman of bowling,” Jasprit Bumrah’s legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time is already firmly established.

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