‘Any team with him in it is a better team’ – Michael Clarke on Jasprit Bumrah amid workload management debate | CricTracker

Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke feels the Indian bowling attack deserves much more praise than they are getting for their recent performance in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in two Tests.

Notably, India won the two Tests against England without Bumrah’s presence in the XI. Clarke praised the efforts put in by the touring team to level the series with a nail-biting six-run win at The Oval.

“To win the last match and level the series. Wow! Phenomenal, absolutely brilliant. And the other thing as well. In the two Test matches that India won, the best bowler in the world didn’t play in (Jasprit) Bumrah. Bumrah didn’t play the two Test matches that India won,” stated Clarke on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

He also clarified that having Bumrah in any team automatically makes the unit stronger.

“So, to the other bowlers in the Indian squad, they deserve a lot of credit to be able to step up. And I do believe, and I don’t think anybody would say differently, any team with Bumrah in it is a better team. But to be able to win those two matches without him, that bowling attack deserves a lot of credit,” added Clarke.

Like other former cricketers and analysts have already, Clarke joined the bandwagon in lauding Mohammed Siraj for leading the pace-bowling unit without Bumrah and stepping up for the team in crucial situations. 

“India bowling again, Krishna, Siraj. Wow! I feel like every time Bumrah is not around, Siraj has this ‘I’ve got to stand up’ mindset and attitude. He wants the ball when the team is under pressure. I feel like he’s a better bowler when there is more expectation and pressure put on his shoulders. I think he really enjoys that role in the team. Fifer in the second innings, just to keep it going,” he remarked.

India retained the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy by levelling the series 2-2. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna starred with career-best match hauls of 9/190 and 8/188, respectively, to help their team claw their way back and turn up on the winning side.

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