Bumrah shares Roberts’ cerebral approach. Both bowlers use subtle variations to outfox batsmen, relying on strategy rather than brute force. Bumrah’s spell in the 2018 Boxing Day Test against Australia – culminating in 6-33 – was a modern echo of Roberts’ game-changing bursts.

Roberts had a loping and relaxed run-up and a very strong shoulder action like Bumrah, and skidded onto you quite quickly, so it was important to be focused on the ball leaving the hand. I prepared for his full ball and thought about hitting him straight to keep me in a neutral position to present the full face of the bat as often as possible.

The danger of a bowler who zeroes in on the stumps, as Roberts did and Bumrah does, is that if you relax for a moment and try to hit across their deliveries, you become even more vulnerable to LBWs and bowled. I would use the same approach against Bumrah.

Malcolm Marshall’s genius lay in his adaptability. At 5 feet 11 inches, he lacked the towering height of traditional quicks but compensated with skill, swing, and relentless accuracy. His 376 Test wickets at an average of 20.94 highlight his ability to dominate on any surface, from Caribbean dust bowls to English green tops.

Bumrah mirrors this versatility. With 151 wickets at an average of 21.03 in just 30 Tests, his ability to excel in diverse conditions recalls Marshall’s dominance. Bumrah’s reverse swing on abrasive surfaces and his ability to seam and swing the ball under cloudy skies have been pivotal, evoking the same uncertainty that batsmen faced against Marshall. As Ian Botham famously remarked of Marshall, “He gave you no respite.” Today, batsmen echo similar sentiments about Bumrah.

Richard Hadlee epitomised precision. With 431 wickets at 22.29, the New Zealand maestro dissected batting line-ups with his metronomic control and strategic nous. Whether exploiting swing-friendly conditions or delivering with pinpoint accuracy on flat decks, Hadlee’s methodical approach set him apart.

Bumrah’s meticulousness draws comparisons to Hadlee. His mastery of English conditions, where he averages 22.02, and his ability to exploit even the slightest movement resemble Hadlee’s clinical dismantling of batting orders. Like Hadlee, Bumrah’s focus on perfecting every delivery has made him indispensable in critical moments. He is also carrying the Indian pace attack at present as Hadlee did for New Zealand in his era.

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis revolutionised reverse swing. Akram, with 414 wickets at 23.62, blended pace with artistry, while Waqar’s 373 scalps at 23.56 came with ferocious toe-crushers. Both were unparalleled in extracting late movement, particularly on subcontinental pitches.

Bumrah’s ability to reverse the old ball has drawn comparisons to this iconic duo. His spells in the 2021 England series and 2022 South Africa tour showcased his mastery of reverse swing, leaving batsmen helpless against late-dipping yorkers – a hallmark of Wasim and Waqar.

Glenn McGrath’s brilliance lay in his relentless accuracy. With 563 wickets at 21.64, he targeted the “danger zone,” consistently exploiting batsmen’s indecision. McGrath’s dominance in the Ashes, where he averaged 20.92, underscored his ability to perform under pressure.

Bumrah’s probing lines evoke memories of McGrath. His consistency in attacking the stumps and forcing errors – combined with a sharp cricketing brain – places him in a similar mould. Bumrah’s precision during India’s historic 2018-19 series win in Australia evoked McGrath’s signature ability to win games with surgical spells.

Dale Steyn’s raw pace, combined with devastating swing, made him one of the most feared bowlers of the modern era. His 439 wickets at 22.95 include unforgettable spells, such as his heroics against Australia in 2008, delivering South Africa’s first series win Down Under.

Bumrah’s standout performances in pressure situations echo Steyn’s influence. His 5-7 against the West Indies in 2019 and 6-33 at Melbourne illustrate his ability to turn games single-handedly. While Steyn’s speed often edged him ahead, Bumrah’s variations, particularly his disguised slower balls, give him a unique weapon.

Loading

Kagiso Rabada, with 297 wickets at 22.50, represents the modern fast-bowling template: pace, aggression, and adaptability. Rabada’s ability to perform on all surfaces has been instrumental in South Africa’s success recently.

Bumrah and Rabada share an ability to thrive across formats without compromising effectiveness. Bumrah’s rise as India’s pace spearhead mirrors Rabada’s journey, both excelling in conditions ranging from seaming English pitches to flat subcontinental tracks.

Bumrah’s numbers are extraordinary: an average of 21.03 and a strike rate of 48.6 rival those of Marshall and Steyn. His record against top teams – Australia (21.25) and England (22.02) – cements his stature as a bowler for the big occasion. Yet, his career, with only 30 Tests so far, remains in its early stages compared to the longevity of his predecessors.

As he has had back surgery already, it is not certain he will have a long career, but if he does, his name will be mentioned in the same breath as the champions above.

What sets Bumrah apart is his combination of skills: Marshall’s adaptability, Lillee’s aggression, Hadlee’s control, Roberts’ strategy, Wasim and Waqar’s reverse swing, McGrath’s precision, Steyn’s explosiveness, and Rabada’s modern versatility. As Nasser Hussain aptly observed, “He’s the complete bowler.”

While the legends of yesteryear established the foundations, Bumrah is carving his own legacy – one that promises to inspire future generations of pacemen.

Fast bowling, cricket’s most compelling spectacle, thrives through these icons. Bumrah, with his unorthodox brilliance, stands tall among them, embodying the heavy artillery that Ian Chappell so eloquently described.

Make no mistake, Bumrah stands between Australia and the Border/Gavaskar Trophy.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.