For Brian Lara, Jasprit Bumrah is the ‘GOAT’! Has Special Words for Rohit Sharma Too
Brian Lara names Jasprit Bumrah in his GOAT list alongside McGrath, Kallis, and Gilchrist on Stick to Cricket podcast
West Indies legend Brian Lara has named India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in his “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) list, placing him alongside some of cricket’s most iconic names.
Lara revealed his selections on the Stick to Cricket podcast, where he appeared with Phil Tufnell, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, and David Lloyd. Bumrah’s name featured among legends such as Glenn McGrath, Jacques Kallis, and Adam Gilchrist, highlighting the high regard Lara has for the Indian fast bowler.
Bumrah has been a match-winner across formats for India. He has taken 455 wickets in 206 international matches at an average of 20.47. His Test numbers are even more remarkable, with 217 wickets in just 47 matches at a stunning average of 19.48. He also has 17 five-wicket hauls to his name, with best figures of 6 for 19.
The others in Lara’s GOAT core have left lasting legacies as well. Glenn McGrath is Australia’s most successful Test pacer, with 563 of his 949 international wickets coming in the longest format. He won three World Cups and still holds the record for the most wickets in World Cup history with 71.
Jacques Kallis remains one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, having scored 25,534 runs and taken 577 wickets. His consistency across all formats made him a pillar of South African cricket. Adam Gilchrist, on the other hand, revolutionized the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman. He scored 15,461 runs with 33 international centuries and claimed 905 dismissals, the second-most in the game’s history. His aggressive style with the bat redefined expectations from lower-order players.
Beyond this core group, Lara also acknowledged several other modern-day greats. He praised Rohit Sharma, who has scored 19,700 runs in 499 international matches and holds records for the most World Cup centuries and most T20I hundreds. He also lauded Chris Gayle, the record-holder for most T20 runs (14,562) and sixes (1,056), with 19,538 international runs overall.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, with 345 wickets in 174 matches, was also mentioned, reflecting his growing stature as one of the leading fast bowlers of the current era.
Lara included Kane Williamson as well, calling attention to his 19,086 international runs at an average of 48.56, including 33 Test centuries. Kevin Pietersen, who scored 13,779 runs at an average of 44.30 and was known for his bold strokeplay, also made Lara’s list of legends.
