Ravi Shastri Praises Jasprit Bumrah For "Making The Ball Talk" As Pacer Delivers Historic Spell At MCG

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri lauded Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for his performances during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, saying that he has made the ball talk and opened the fourth Test at Melbourne big time. Bumrah continued to break records left and right as he continued his red-hot form in the ongoing series, bringing his wicket-tally to a massive 29 scalps at an average of 13.24, with two five-wicket hauls to his name. During the second innings, Bumrah took 4/56 in 24 overs at an economy rate of 2.33. He took wickets of Sam Konstas, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey.

Speaking as quoted by FOX Sports, Shastri said, "Anything over 275 to chase here is not easy, but it was big fight today. India bounced back and that great spell from Jasprit Bumrah today has opened up the game big time."

Bumrah completed his 200 Test wickets in the match, becoming the fastest player to do so for the Indian team. He also became the first-ever player to have 200 Test wickets with an average of below 20, being way better than West Indies legends Joel Garner, Curtly Ambrose and Fred Trueman in bowling average.

The former Indian head coach said that Bumrah belongs to the conversation for the "greatest" along with these aforementioned legends, especially with having played 12 Tests and taken 47 wickets at an average of 17.19 at home, with two five-wicket hauls, on mostly spin-friendly conditions.

"It is a stunning stat because we all know how good the other three were (in) Marshall, Garner and Ambrose," Shastri was quoted by FOX Sports.

"To play half his Test matches in India, almost, in those conditions in the subcontinent, and then to have a strike rate the way