“Would’ve preferred facing Kapil Dev, Srinath and Prabhakar rather than Bumrah” says Brian Lara


“Would’ve preferred facing Kapil Dev, Srinath and Prabhakar rather than Bumrah” says Brian Lara
Jasprit Bumrah

Former West Indies batsman, Brian Lara is all praises for Mumbai Indians’ fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

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Bumrah is the current purple-cap holder in the ongoing season of IPL 2020. He has picked up 27 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 13.92 and an economy rate of 6.71. All best among the top five most successful bowlers in the IPL 2020.

When asked about whether he would have liked the prospect of facing Bumrah in his prime. Brian Lara has said that he would have much preferred to face the legendary Indian bowling line-up consisting of Kapil Dev, Jayagal Srinath and Manoj Prabhakar than facing Bumrah’s attack.

I think I would’ve preferred facing Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Manoj Prabhakar rather than Bumrah (laughs),” Lara told Hindustan Times in an interview. He also recognized that the challenge would have been “exceptional“.

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But yes, the challenge would have been exceptional. You know, back in my day you had someone like Makhaya Ntini, who had a similar sort of angle to his delivery. So, there can be some comparisons to people I played against. I know I would not have backed away,” he added.

Brian Lara: “Bumrah and Archer could stand up and be counted in any era of cricket”

Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah

Lara also said that Bumrah and Rajasthan Royals’ bowler Jofra Archer can be counted as best in any era of cricket.

Bumrah and Archer could stand up and be counted in any era of cricket. Whether they were playing in the 2000s, 90s, 80s or even the 70s, they would be up there. And I am not belittling anyone from the past. But these two would be in the echelons of fast bowling in any era I have watched, played in, or am still watching,” he said.

Explaining the reasons why Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have found success in both, the shortest and the longest formats of cricket, Lara said they hit Test match lengths in the T20s.

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Why Bumrah and Shami are so successful is because they bowl Test match lengths in T20s. You don’t see them overdoing the slower balls. They look to hit the seam, hit the stumps. Or they try to get the edge of the bat, bowl sharp and short balls and get batsmen in trouble. So, switching to Test cricket against Australia will be a very easy task for them,” he added.

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