Series would have been one-sided without Bumrah: Glenn McGrath

Australia are currently leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1, after a win in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne.

Apart from the Australian side's dominance, there has been very little to cheer about for the visiting Indian team. The player who has more or less carried the Indian team so far is star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. With 30 wickets from the four games he has played, he is currently the highest wicket-taker, and has often been the orchestrator with the ball for India on the ongoing tour. The speedster will hope to continue the form, and help India level the series with a win in the New Year's Test, set to be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, from January 03.

Now, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has come forward to opine his take on Bumrah's importance in the side in the context of the ongoing series. McGrath expressed that the series would have been more in Australia's favour had Bumrah not produced his magical bowling spells that he has delivered in the series so far.

“He has been a massive part of the Indian team and without him, the series might have been more one-sided and what he does is special. Terrific young guy who has found a way to adapt. Absolutely incredible how he powers into bowl the last few steps,” Mcgrath said while speaking at a press conference ahead of the Pink Test in Sydney.

“(On Bumrah's action) Got a little bit of hyperextension, which I used to have as well. He is coping with it and has incredible control both ways, guess they are managing him well. I am a massive fan of Jasprit," he added.

Also Check: Jasprit Bumrah records highest points tally by Indian bowler in ICC Test Rankings

Overall, the year 2024 was a dreamy one for Bumrah, as the Ahmedabad-born took 71 wickets in 13 Tests and also received the nomination for the Test Cricket of the Year. With these mind-boggling numbers, the pacer has also achieved a rating of 907 in the bowlers' rankings, which is the highest for an Indian player. The record was previously held by Ravichandran Ashwin with 904 rating points.