"You can never make any plans against him" - Ajay Jadeja lauds Jasprit Bumrah's spell in IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja has lauded Jasprit Bumrah for bowling a potent spell on the second day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. The former India captain pointed out that opposition batters can never make any plans against the unconventional seamer because of the variety he possesses.
Bumrah registered figures of 4/50 in 11 overs as India bundled Bangladesh out for 149 in their first innings on Friday, September 20. The hosts ended the day at 81/3 in their second innings, with an overall lead of 308 runs.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Ajay Jadeja responded in the affirmative when asked whether Bumrah was the No. 1 performer on the day.
"There is no doubt about that although this might not be his best performance. When he picked up his first wicket, he probably went around the wicket because he was finding it difficult, but after that, you kept seeing him picking up wickets. Whether it's the length, line, or pace, he can vary everything," he said.
"You can never make any plans against him. Against limited bowlers, like Hasan Mahmud, you can think that he will only be effective when the ball seams. But with him (Bumrah), he bowls as per the given conditions. So he will surprise and excite you every day. He does something new every day, the only thing that doesn't change is his performance," Jadeja added.
Jasprit Bumrah castled Shadman Islam from around the wicket in his first over after he was drifting down the leg side from over the wicket. He later dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim, Hasan Mahmud, and Taskin Ahmed to complete his four-wicket haul.
"He is not only the No. 1 bowler of today but the No. 1 bowler in the world at the moment" - Ajay Jadeja on Jasprit Bumrah
![Shadman Islam was bowled while shouldering arms against Jasprit Bumrah. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/19512-17268373855167-1920.jpg?w=500)
Ajay Jadeja opined that Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in the world currently.
"You can check any of his four or five wickets, you will rarely see all of his wickets being similar. He has so much skill that he dismisses one player one way and the second player some other way, and he brings out the yorker when the tail comes or when some batters are in a particular mode. He is not only the No. 1 bowler of today but the No. 1 bowler in the world at the moment," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Wasim Akram was potentially the only bowler who could have matched Bumrah's variety.
"I was trying to figure out if there is any other bowler in the world who has so much skill that he can bowl differently in different conditions. No one came to my mind. Aakash (Chopra) then reminded me that Wasim Akram was one. You can see his (Bumrah's) new-ball skill and we have been seeing his old-ball skills," Jadeja observed.
Bumrah completed 400 international wickets during his spell. He was ably supported by Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Ravindra Jadeja, who picked up two wickets apiece.