'He's a Nightmare!' - Ricky Ponting Reveals Reaction From Batters Facing Indian Pacer Jasprit Bumrah

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting revealed oppositon batters have said "it's a nightmare" when facing Jasprit Bumrah and labelled the Indian pace spearhead as the "best multi-format bowler".

Speaking at ICC Review, Ponting said Bumrah is currently the best pacer in the world. The former cricketer added that earlier there was some fear with Bumrah due to his injury but the Indian pacer came back in a better way.

Jasprit Bumrah has been labelled as the best multi-format bowler by Ricky Ponting

"I've said it for a long time, he's probably been the best multi-format bowler there's been in world cricket for the last five or six years. There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries come in and 'would he come back the same?', but I think he's actually come back better," Ponting was quoted by ICC as saying.

The former Australia captain also revealed what the batter facing Bumrah had to say, "The greatest way to always get a real gauge on these players is by asking (other) players.

"And when you talk to opposition batsmen about him (Bumrah) in particular, it's always, 'No, he's a nightmare! You never know what's going to happen. One's going to swing, one's going to seam, he's going to bowl an in-swinger, he's going to bowl an out-swinger," he continued.

In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah earned the 'Player of the Tournament' award thanks to his crucial spells throughout the tournament, taking 15 wickets in eight matches at an average of 11.86 and an economy rate of 4.17, with the best bowling figures of 3/7.

Ponting said that Bumrah had the pace in the T20 World Cup 2024 even after his injury and added that the most lethal pacer currently is getting better every year.

"If I watch what he did in the T20 World Cup - the pace is still there, there's nothing that's changed with the accuracy or what he can deliver. The skillset is all the same. He's getting better year on year. So, he would rank right up there," he added.

"When you've got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you're going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest," Ponting added.