Not Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma! R Ashwin Picks This Bowler As Most Valuable Indian Cricketer, Says, 'We Should Celebrate Him More'

IND vs BAN: India's star spinner R Ashwin lauded fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and described him as one of the most valuable players instead of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Bumrah has been spearheading the Indian pace attack for the last few years. He is currently one of the best all-format bowlers. He has helped the team bounce back multiple times and also during the 2024 T20 World Cup summit clash, where he changed the result of the match in India's favor by bowling a brilliant economical spell.

Bumrah first gained limelight during IPL 2013, where he bowled with an unorthodox action and dismissed Virat Kohli in his debut match. He performed consistently well in both the IPL and domestic cricket and then made his debut for the national team in 2016 and thus became an important part of the team's bowling attack.

Ashwin, who took 500 Test wickets in February this year, shared details about Bumrah's recent visit to Chennai, where he was showered with the same love and respect that the fans usually give to Rajnikanth and also called him the Men in Blue's MVP.

Also Read: Yash Dubey's Bizarre dismissal in Duleep Trophy 2024 goes viral 

"We Chennai people appreciate bowlers a lot. He was here for an event as a chief guest 4-5 days ago. We gave him a Rajni treatment. We (Chennai people) treat bowlers very nicely. He should be treated as a champion. I don’t want to name, but Jasprit Bumrah is the most valuable Indian cricketer right now," Ashwin was quoted as saying on Vimal Kumar's YouTube channel.

'We should celebrate Jasprit Bumrah even more'

Ashwin reckoned that India doesn't usually celebrate a bowler but is happy that Bumrah, who is a once-in-a-generation player, has got his due for his brilliant skills but that he should be celebrated even more.

"India has always been the country that is batsman-dominated, and it’s never going to change. But I am so glad that we are celebrating Jasprit Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler. We should celebrate him even more", he concluded.

Bumrah would be making a comeback to the national side for the first time after his match-winning performance in the summit clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup against the Aiden Markram-led side. Bumrah is part of the first Test-match squad against Bangladesh, which will begin at the MA Chidambaram stadium next week.