Jasprit Bumrah has the potential to reach where James Anderson and Stuart Broad have reached: Courtney Walsh

India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the most consistent and impactful performers in international cricket in recent years. The speedster has troubled a lot of batsmen around the world with the variations he has in his ammunition. However, there were concerns about his fitness during the last year and his form was also below his standards on the New Zealand tour earlier this year.

Bumrah came into the picture as a T20 specialist. His immense control of yorkers and the variations he has with the unusual action made him an interesting prospect. Later, after performing excellently in the limited-overs set-up for more than a year, the pacer was brought in the Test team as well. However, there are reservations about him as a Test bowler due to his unusual run-up and action.

However, Courtney Walsh, the West Indies legend, feels that he can be a very successful bowler in the longer run. Walsh said that Bumrah is a very skilful bowler and can perform for a long time like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

“He has the potential to reach where Anderson and Broad have. He is a very skilful bowler. He has a funny run-up that people might want to change. But it is what is best for him,” Walsh, who was the first-ever player to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket, told Times of India (TOI).

Notably, Stuart Broad, the English bowler reached 500 Test wickets this season against the West Indies. His partner, James Anderson also reached 600 wickets against Pakistan, this year itself. Both have maintained their fitness quite well and have been great performers for the Brits at the highest level.

It is just about how hungry Jasprit Bumrah is to achieve success: Courtney Walsh

The former Caribbean pacer also feels that the Mumbai Indians seamer can only reach such level if he maintains his fitness for a longer run. “If he [Jasprit Bumrah] stays fit, he could make his mark in a big way in all formats. It is just about how hungry he is to achieve success,” Walsh further concluded.

Walsh is one of the four fast bowlers who have picked up 500 scalps in Test Cricket. The other three include James Anderson (England), Stuart Broad (England) and Glenn McGrath (Australia).