Faf du Plessis Lauds Jasprit Bumrah as GOAT, Expresses Concern Over India’s Dependence

Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah has been voted the greatest fast bowler of all time by former South African fast bowler Faf du Plessis. In an ESPNCricinfo video, Du Plessis was asked to select a fast bowler who was superior to Bumrah. Among the players on the list were Lasith Malinga, Kapil Dev, Allan Donald, Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, Ian Botham, Waqar Younis, Courtney Walsh, James Anderson, Pat Cummins, Glenn McGrath, Richard Hadlee, Mitchell Starc, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram, and Dennis Lillee.

In the current T20 World Cup 2026, Jasprit Bumrah has been leading India's bowling attack and bearing the responsibility of producing quality results with the ball. According to former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis, the bowlers have not yet been exposed to difficult circumstances, which is concerning because the batting unit has received significant criticism.

Faf du Plessis on Jasprit Bumrah:

Du Plessis, who has played a lot of T20 cricket in India, believes that the Indian team is overdependent on Bumrah and wants other bowlers to step up as well. The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster believes that Bumrah has been the most productive bowler for the Suryakumar Yadav-led team in the current competition.

Faf said, “(Bumrah is the greatest) because the greats of the game didn’t play T20. So it’s difficult to judge them against someone who’s so effective in T20. But all of those guys. I think especially of Wasim Akram and his yorkers at the end. But the ball reversed swing a lot back in the day. It’s not swinging as much (now). So Bumrah is my number one."

He also said, "The team they would have planned before the World Cup and where they find themselves now, feels very different from a role perspective. Initially, the top three were going to be left-handed, and now you've got Sanju Samson coming from five. Possibly to the top. You've got Tilak possibly going to five. It's a lot of movement in terms of role play, and if you look at the teams that are doing well, it's a very set batting line-up."

Watch this space for more cricket news and updates.