Bumrah Beats McGrath and Muralitharan in Top 10 List
Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad name Jasprit Bumrah as the 3rd best bowler of the 21st century, ahead of legends like Glenn McGrath and Muralitharan.
In a stunning revelation that has captured the cricket world's attention, Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been ranked ahead of some of the greatest legends to ever play the game. During a recent episode of the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast, England star Jos Buttler and former speedster Stuart Broad unveiled their definitive list of the top 10 bowlers of the 21st century.
The selection has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, as Bumrah secured the number three spot, leapfrogging icons like Australian legend Glenn McGrath and the incomparable Sri Lankan spin maestro Muttiah Muralitharan.
The Hierarchy of Greatness
The list, curated by Buttler and Broad, places the late Australian leg-spin genius Shane Warne at the pinnacle. Warne, who remains one of only two players to cross the 1,000-international-wicket milestone, leads a lineup of extraordinary talent. Following him in the second position is England’s most prolific pacer, James Anderson, who sits on 991 international scalps.
The inclusion of Bumrah at number three highlights his meteoric rise and his status as one of the most lethal weapons in the modern era. Despite having fewer total wickets than some of his predecessors, his ability to dominate across all formats and conditions—particularly his mastery of extracting wickets on spin-friendly Indian tracks—set him apart in the eyes of the hosts.
The Full Top 10 Breakdown
The rankings provided by the duo showcase a heavy leaning towards pace, though the legendary spin of Warne and Muralitharan ensures the specialists are represented. Here is how the top 10 shaped up:
- 1. Shane Warne (Australia): The undisputed king of leg-spin.
- 2. James Anderson (England): The most successful pacer in history.
- 3. Jasprit Bumrah (India): The modern-day master of precision and pace.
- 4. Glenn McGrath (Australia): The World Cup legend and metronomic pacer.
- 5. Pat Cummins (Australia): The recent era's dominant leader and wicket-taker.
- 6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka): The highest wicket-taker in international history.
- 7. Dale Steyn (South Africa): The South African speed king.
- 8. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): The modern South African spearhead.
- 9. Shaun Pollock (South Africa): The consistent South African legend.
- 10. Mitchell Starc (Australia): The left-arm powerhouse.
Bumrah's Path to Glory
Jasprit Bumrah’s ascent to the third spot is backed by staggering statistics and clutch performances. With 511 wickets in just 243 matches, his strike rate remains among the elite. His recent heroics in T20 cricket, including being named 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2024 edition, have solidified his reputation as a big-match player.
While the list celebrates the best of the century, it has also sparked debate among fans. Several heavyweights were notably absent from the top 10, including India's Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and the legendary Anil Kumble, as well as Australia's Nathan Lyon and New Zealand's Tim Southee.