Josh Hazlewood vs Jasprit Bumrah: Who is the better bowler in all formats right now?
Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-winning spell in the 2nd T20I against India, raising the question of whether he is a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah.
Hazlewood's Performance in the Second T20I
During the second T20I at the MCG, Hazlewood was almost unplayable. His new-ball spell dismantled India's top order, leading to a shock collapse. He finished with figures of 3 for 13 in four overs, dismissing Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.
This brilliant performance was key to restricting India to just 125 runs.
Bumrah's Response and Overall Comparison
With India posting 125, expectations were high for Jasprit Bumrah to counter Hazlewood's impact and guide India toward victory. However, Bumrah conceded early runs, easing the chase for Australia. He took two wickets for 26 runs, but these wickets did not significantly affect the game.
“Bumrah is often projected as the best pacer of contemporary cricket; however, the comparison of the recent show from the two bowlers leads us to the question: Is Josh Hazlewood a better all-format bowler than Bumrah?”
Looking at their overall careers across all formats, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as the more effective bowler with better averages and strike rates.
Summary
While Hazlewood's recent performance was outstanding, Bumrah's career statistics across formats establish him as the more consistent and efficient bowler.
Author's summary: Hazlewood’s recent excellence sparks debate, but Bumrah’s superior career stats confirm he remains the more effective all-format bowler today.