"His numbers might not be that big but I feel he is this century's best medium pacer" - RP Singh lauds Jasprit Bumrah's performances vs Bangladesh
RP Singh reckons Jasprit Bumrah is this century's best seamer although his numbers at the end of his career might not suggest the same. The former India pacer doesn't think the unconventional seamer would be feeling bad for not getting enough recognition for his performances.
India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the second Test in Kanpur on Tuesday, October 1, to seal the two-match series 2-0. While Yashasvi Jaiswal was chosen as the Player of the Match for his twin half-centuries, Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the Player of the Series.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, RP Singh was asked whether Bumrah would be feeling bad about rarely getting the Player of the Match or Series awards.
"I don't think it would be in his mind because he knows his value and impact, the sort of player he is. Without him, it's very difficult for any captain to get such a grasp on the match, especially in Indian conditions. If Jasprit Bumrah had not been there, this match would have gone on longer," he responded.
"If we see his impact after 15 to 20 years, his numbers might not be that big but I feel he is this century's best medium pacer. Get him to bowl in any condition, at any stage, and in any format, he gives his captain a wicket. So he has a massive impact," Singh added.
Bumrah accounted for three dismissals in each innings of the Kanpur Test. He picked up the last three wickets in Bangladesh's second innings, dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim.
"He picked up wickets at crucial times" - RP Singh picks Jasprit Bumrah as the best performer of the series
![Jasprit Bumrah picked up 11 wickets in the two-Test series against Bangladesh. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/71cb7-17277905240244-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, RP Singh chose Jasprit Bumrah when asked to pick the best performer of the series.
"Jasprit Bumrah, because he picked up wickets at crucial times. He used so many variations. When we were standing at the fifth day's play today in the Kanpur Test match, where pace bowling was not that effective, he picked up wickets despite that. We also got to see slower balls," he reasoned.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the unconventional seamer gives game-changing performances.
"This player is extremely special. He has the game plan irrespective of the surface and the ability to give his captain a wicket on any surface and at any time, which always helps in changing the game," Singh observed.
With 11 scalps, Bumrah was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series alongside Ravichandran Ashwin. However, the spin-bowling all-rounder's match-defining century in the first Test in Chennai potentially helped him bag the 'Player of the Series' award ahead of Bumrah.