Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-winning performance in the 2nd T20I against India at the MCG. His outstanding spell with the new ball dismantled India's top order and left them reeling.
Hazlewood took 3 wickets for 13 runs in his four overs, dismissing Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. His excellent bowling was the key reason India was restricted to just 125 runs.
India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah was expected to mirror Hazlewood's impact but struggled early, conceding runs that eased the Australian chase. Although Bumrah took 2 wickets for 26 runs, those wickets did not significantly affect the game's outcome.
Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the best pacers in modern cricket. However, the recent match raised questions about whether Hazlewood might be the superior all-format bowler currently. Looking at their overall career stats, Bumrah maintains better averages and strike rates across formats, suggesting he remains more effective over time.
“Josh Hazlewood showed his brilliance and was nearly unplayable during the second T20I against India.”
“Bumrah finished his spell with two wickets for 26 runs, but those wickets were of little consequence.”
Both bowlers have distinct strengths, but Bumrah's consistent career performance gives him the edge in all formats.
Author’s summary: Recent performances highlight Hazlewood's match-winning ability, but Bumrah's superior career statistics affirm his status as the more effective bowler across all formats at present.