Indian national cricket team’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped high praise on frontline bowler Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh. He said that the fast bowler is the most valuable Indian cricketer right now.

Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly one of the finest players to have ever featured for the Indian national cricket team. The impact he has had on the team across all three formats is something not many have managed to achieve, and it is because of him that Indian bowling is so strong these days.

Bumrah is the main reason behind India’s success in overseas Tests, and his effort in white-ball cricket has been so immense that even if there are around 10 runs to defend in the last over, the favourites will be the Indian team due to their diamond-class pacer.

Bumrah, who took 20 wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup, made sure to help the Indian National Cricket Team win the 2024 T20 World Cup as well. He was the team’s MVP in the tournament and ended up winning the Player of the Tournament award due to his heroics.

Bumrah took 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and helped his team end the title drought and win the first ICC title after 2013. He helped the Indian National Cricket Team win the games even from losing positions, which was the outstanding feature of his bowling.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who will join Bumrah in the Test series against Bangladesh, expressed his joy that in a country dominated by batsmen, the bowler is being celebrated. While calling him a once-in-a-generation bowler, he said people should celebrate him more. Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar, he explained:

“India has always been a batsman-dominated country and that is never going to change. But I am very happy and glad that we are celebrating Jasprit Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler. We should celebrate him even more.”

Jasprit Bumrah is the most valuable Indian cricketer right now – Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin further pointed out how the people of Chennai gave a grand welcome to Bumrah during an event. He stressed that the player should be treated like a champion and that he is currently the most valuable cricketer for the team. He added:

“We Chennai people appreciate bowlers very much. He was here for an event as a guest of honour four-five days ago. We gave him Rajni treatment. We (Chennai people) treat bowlers very well. He should be treated like a champion. I don’t want to name him, but Jasprit Bumrah is the most valuable Indian cricketer right now.”

Bumrah has joined the Indian National Cricket Team for the Test series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team. The series between the two teams will begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will be the first game for him after the 2024 T20 World Cup and he would be keen to make an impact for his team.