Josh Hazlewood vs Jasprit Bumrah: Who is a better bowler in all formats at present?

Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-winning performance in the 2nd T20I against India, raising the question: Is he a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah?

Hazlewood's Dominant Spell

Hazlewood was nearly unplayable during the second T20I at the MCG. His opening spell with the new ball dismantled India's top order, leaving the team stunned. He took 3 wickets for just 13 runs in his four overs, dismissing Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. This exceptional bowling effort was key to restricting India to a mere 125 runs.

Bumrah's Performance in the Same Match

India hoped Jasprit Bumrah would mirror Hazlewood's impact and lead the team to victory. However, Bumrah conceded some early runs, easing the chase for Australia. Though he took two wickets, finishing with figures of 2 for 26, those dismissals had limited impact on the outcome.

"Bumrah is often projected as the best pacer of contemporary cricket; however, the comparison of the recent show from the two bowlers leads us to the question: Is Josh Hazlewood a better all-format bowler than Bumrah?"

Career Comparison Across Formats

Looking at their broader careers, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as more effective overall. He boasts superior averages and strike rates across all formats, underscoring his consistency and efficiency as a bowler compared to Hazlewood.

Author's summary: While Hazlewood impressed with a game-changing spell in the T20I, Bumrah's superior career stats across formats affirm his edge as a more consistently effective bowler.

Hindustan Times — 2025-10-31