Jasprit Bumrah needs to play county cricket: Wasim Akram

Pakistan’s pace legend, Wasim Akram seemed to be pretty impressed with the Indian bowlers’ performance in South Africa. Although India lost the series 1-2 to the Proteas, the bowlers stood in the entire series. They picked all the 60 wickets in the series putting India in a commanding position throughout the series. Akram who is inarguably the best left-handed bowler to have played the game dissected the current Indian bowling attack, which he feels has gained in confidence unlike the teams of the earlier era.

Young pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s selection in the first Test puzzled everyone. He was constantly under the radar and many criticized his selection. However, Bumrah shut all his critics up by picking 14 wickets in the three Tests which also included a very impressive five-wicket haul. Wasim Akram opined that Bumrah needs to play in the county to do well in the England series that is to be played in July this year.

Forgo IPL for a month: Wasim Akram

Because of the jam-packed schedule, it is no easy for any Indian cricketer to take part in other country’s domestic tournaments. This becomes even more difficult for players who represent India in all the formats. Adding to the national duties is the Indian Premier League. It is a herculean task for players to spend some quality time with their families and friends.

Michael Holding recently commented that Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be a big success in England due to his hit-the-deck action. However, Akram felt that Bumrah can forgo a month’s IPL in order to do well in England. “I agree with Mike that you can’t hit the deck on English surfaces. But that would only come with experience,” he said.

He also commented that the BCCI doesn’t allow it’s stars to feature in county cricket. But, he said that if Bumrah could spend at least a month every year in England, he would be a much-improved bowler. “If Bumrah plays at least a month of the county every year, trust me, he will be a better bowler. But then Indian board has to tell Bumrah that forego a month’s IPL and play county cricket,” said Akram.

Bumrah needs to use his wrist better to develop a wicket-taking delivery

“He has had a good start to his Test career after starting off as a T20 specialist. So it’s a kind of change in mindset that is slowly happening for him. If people are talking about not having an outswinger, I won’t be bothered much. But if Bumrah can learn how to straighten the ball after pitching coming from wide of the crease, more often than not, it will be his wicket-taking delivery. He just needs to use a bit of wrist for that,” said the ‘Sultan of Swing’ who made it sound easier than it actually is.

Wasim also attributes a majority of his success to the days he spent in England with the Lanchestershire. Also, Akram said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the best bowler in the current Indian team.

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