"We didn't appreciate Ashwin that much when he was playing" - Aakash Chopra on Jasprit Bumrah not being praised enough for BGT 2024-25 performances
Former India player Aakash Chopra reckons Jasprit Bumrah hasn't been appreciated enough for his performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and throughout his career. He noted that the recently retired Ravichandran Ashwin also didn't get the praise he deserved during his international playing days.
The five-match series between India and Australia is currently tied at 1-1, with the final two games to be played in Melbourne and Sydney. Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in the post-match press conference of the drawn third Test in Brisbane.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that Bumrah, much like Ashwin, has not been lauded enough as an active international cricketer.
"We should talk about Jasprit Bumrah because the guy is different. At times, you don't appreciate someone at that time but later. We didn't appreciate Ashwin that much when he was playing, that he has scored six centuries and picked up more than 500 wickets," he said (5:10).
Chopra opined that India might have been 0-3 down in the ongoing BGT but for Bumrah.
"Even in white-ball, you remember the Champions Trophy and the straight boundary (winning runs) he (Ashwin) hit in Melbourne (against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup). If Jasprit Bumrah had not been there, you would have already lost this series. You would have been 3-0 down," he observed.
Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker across both sides in BGT 2024-25. He has picked up 21 wickets at an outstanding average of 10.90 in six innings, with Mohammed Siraj (13) being the visitors' only other bowler to account for more than four dismissals.
"He is a miracle man" - Aakash Chopra on Jasprit Bumrah
![Jasprit Bumrah picked up nine wickets in the Brisbane Test. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/526bf-17347602713920-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra termed Jasprit Bumrah a 'miracle man.'
"Who has had such an impact? He is No. 1 on every list. He is a different-level bowler. He is a magician. He is a maverick. He is a master. He is a miracle man. He does the job whether you give him the new ball or the old ball. Which fast bowler has good numbers in India? He has them," he said (5:50).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the unconventional seamer is one of the all-time greatest bowlers.
"What a player. Jasprit Bumrah is already in my books one of the greatest of all times. Where he would reach is for much later. He has returned after surgery. All of us doubted whether he would play for India again. He has returned better than before," Chopra observed.
Chopra recalled that Bumrah couldn't afford Nike shoes during his formative years as they were too expensive. He added that the seamer now has the entire world at his feet.