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Jasprit Bumrah Better Than Before: India's Ace Earns High Praise From New Zealand Legend

Jasprit Bumrah for India in Tests (X.com)Jasprit Bumrah for India in Tests (X.com)

New Zealand captain Tim Southee reckons India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has looked more formidable since making a comeback from a back injury, which kept him out of action for a major part of the last year.

Bumrah, who was recently described as the "best all-format bowler in the last five-six years" by the legendary Ricky Ponting, has been at the forefront of the Indian team's success since making a comeback in August 2023 after being out of action since September 2022.

"To be able to firstly bounce back from the major injury and come back, he's even better than what he was beforehand. Throw in on top of that, having to juggle multiple formats, can be difficult at times as well," Southee said on the sidelines of the Ceat Cricket Rating Award on Wednesday.

"He seems to have been able to do that with ease as well. He's probably more experienced, understands his game a bit more. He probably had that time where he was injured to come back and be recharged, refreshed."

"We are just seeing a great version (of Bumrah) across all three formats. He's brilliant across all three at the moment. I don't think there's anyone that he's better in (better than him), he is tremendous across all three (formats)," he said.

Tim Southee To Miss India Tests?

Southee acknowledged having a discussion with the New Zealand head coach Gary Stead on the possibility of him missing a few Tests in the subcontinent.

India and New Zealand will be engaged in a three-Test series for the first time since 2016-17 and Southee welcomed the idea.

"As players, you want to play more Test cricket. It's nice to be able to come here and play three Test matches," he said.

With former Kiwi captain Kane Williamson, opening batter Devon Conway and Finn Allen declining New Zealand Cricket's central contracts for 2024-25, Southee said two of those players will still be available for the majority of the Tests.

[From PTI Inputs]