Kapil Dev says 'Don't Compare' Jasprit Bumrah with him after Australia heroics

Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has requested fans and analysts to refrain from comparing him to Jasprit Bumrah, the star India fast bowler.

Bumrah recently broke Kapil's long-standing record of 51 Test wickets in Australia, establishing himself as the Indian bowler with the most Test scalps Down Under.

Bumrah's stunning performances have garnered widespread admiration, as he has claimed 64 wickets in just 12 matches (23 innings) in Australia. With an impressive average of 17.15 and four five-wicket hauls, his best match figures stand at a remarkable 9/86. Reflecting on Bumrah's achievements, Kapil urged people to consider the differences between eras before making comparisons.

"Please do not compare (me with Bumrah); you cannot compare one generation with another. The boys of today score 300 runs in a single day, which didn't happen in our time. So, don't compare," Kapil said while speaking to the media.

Bumrah's recent exploits in Australia were nothing short of historic. He was named Player of the Series after finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the five-Test series, claiming 32 wickets in nine innings at an astonishing average of 13.06. This included three five-wicket hauls. He also surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi's record of 31 wickets from the 1977-78 series, making him the Indian bowler with the most wickets in a single Test series in Australia.

Despite his stellar performances, Bumrah's series ended on a bittersweet note as he sustained an injury during the fifth Test in Sydney. He refrained from bowling from Day 2 onwards, and the injury has cast doubt on his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

According to sources, Bumrah has been asked to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While he is expected to be included in the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy, his final participation will depend on the progress of his recovery under the supervision of NCA medical staff.