Josh Hazlewood vs Jasprit Bumrah: Who is better in all formats currently?
Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-winning spell in the 2nd T20I against India at the MCG, raising the question of whether he is a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah.
Hazlewood's Performance
Hazlewood was nearly unplayable in that match. His opening spell dismantled India's top order with three crucial wickets: Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. He finished with figures of 3 for 13 in four overs, helping restrict India to just 125 runs.
Bumrah's Performance
India looked to Jasprit Bumrah to counter Hazlewood’s impact, but he struggled early by conceding runs, making Australia's chase easier. Although Bumrah took two wickets, finishing with 2 for 26, his impact was less decisive.
Comparing Their Careers
Despite Hazlewood's impressive recent form, Jasprit Bumrah remains highly regarded. Looking at their overall careers across all formats, Bumrah has better averages and strike rates.
“Bumrah is often projected as the best pacer of contemporary cricket.”
This leads to the question: Is Josh Hazlewood now a better all-format bowler than Bumrah?
Summary
While Hazlewood’s recent spell was outstanding, Bumrah’s career statistics still place him as the more effective bowler across all formats.
Author's summary: Hazlewood's recent brilliance in T20I challenges Bumrah's status, but career figures show Bumrah as the superior bowler overall.