Cricket has long been a game of competition between the bowler and the batter. Today, two fast bowlers stand tall above the rest: Jasprit Bumrah of India and Mitchell Starc of Australia. Both players are match-winners who can swing a game in a couple of overs, but while they share the objective of taking wickets, they go about it in completely different ways. Bumrah relies on control, accuracy, and calmness, and Starc relies on pace, swing, and aggression.
Bowling Style and Technique
1. Jasprit Bumrah – The Silent Assassin
Jasprit Bumrah has one of the most distinct bowling actions in world cricket. His short run-up and right-arm fast delivery make it difficult for batters to get to the ball early. He is deadly with his yorkers, especially in the last overs of a match.
Key Strengths:
● Very accurate with line and length
● Expert in bowling yorkers and slower balls
● Can bowl in any phase: Powerplay, middle overs, or death overs
● Remains calm under pressure
● Adapts well to all conditions
Bumrah’s excellence is based on his consistency. He yields easy runs and can defend low totals easily. There is not just speed where his bowling is based; it is control and timing.
2. Mitchell Starc – The Firestorm
Mitchell Starc, in contrast, relies on sheer pace and swing. Starc’s left-arm fast and full-length delivery makes batting against him a nightmare. He’s one of the few bowlers who can swing it back and forth at speeds exceeding 145 kph.
Key Strengths:
● Dangerous with the new ball
● Swings the ball late and fast
● Very effective in World Cups and knockout games
● Creates pressure with speed and bounce
● Loves attacking and going for wickets
Starc has the ability to destroy a batting line-up in a few overs when he gets in rhythm. His ability to strike early gives Australia a huge advantage in big matches.
3. Consistency and Fitness
The workload of Bumrah is being monitored quite closely by India’s management. Hence, he has remained fit for important tournaments. Starc, through his aggressive technique of bowling fast, has been injured more often in the past years, but he is always fit again once he returns.
| Aspect | Jasprit Bumrah | Mitchell Starc |
| Consistency | Very consistent; rarely has a bad spell | More unpredictable but explosive |
| Fitness | Carefully managed workload | Often affected by injuries |
| Longevity | Strong across all formats | Misses games due to high intensity |
4. Performance in Major Tournaments
Jasprit Bumrah:
- Key performer in ICC events like the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
- One of the Mumbai Indians’ main weapons in the IPL.
Rarely goes wicketless in big matches.
Mitchell Starc:
- Player of the Tournament in the 2015 World Cup.
- Top wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup.
- Helped Australia win the 2023 World Cup with early breakthroughs.
5. Skill Comparison: Bumrah vs Starc
Fast bowling has always been the lifeblood of world cricket, and in recent times, no two men represent the modern fast bowling game better than Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc. Both men have been match-winning fast bowlers in their own right, with superb skill, pace, and passion, taking their country to the top of the world rankings. At the same time, they also could not be more different in their respective bowling styles. Bumrah is the master of control, who is known for his incredible yorkers and his reliability across formats. Starc has been the strike weapon, having been an aggressive bowling change, often demolishing opposition batting lineups with his beautiful swing and devastating pace.
| Skill | Bumrah | Starc |
| New Ball Swing | Moderate | Excellent |
| Death Overs Bowling | Outstanding | Good |
| Consistency | Very High | Medium |
| Strike Rate (Wickets) | Good | Excellent |
| Economy Rate | Very Tight | Slightly High |
| Big Match Temperament | Calm & Reliable | Aggressive & Fearless |
When the stakes are high and the crowd is inflamed, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc are completely different individuals. Bumrah, the self-proclaimed god of calmness, walks in nonchalantly, no emotions, just focus. He has crafted a career out of producing poise in high-stakes scenarios, which included being as cool as a cucumber in IPL finals, breaking partnerships at the ICC knockouts, etc. Bumrah’s greatest weapon is not weapon skill; it’s being able to stay cool when the world around him is losing its breath.
Starc, on the other hand, embraces fire, embraces emotion. He does not mask or hide his feelings; rather, he thrives off them. He’s a battering force of nature. His ferocious speed and aggression have crowned Australia in the 2015 & 2023 World Cups. Starc relishes the big stage; it’s when he feels alive and dangerous.
Bumrah gets the victory through precision and calmness, while Starc gets the victory through intensity and power. One freezes time, while the other sets it on fire. Bumrah in the crunch moments gives India hope through composure, while Starc gives fight to his team in heightened moments. Two clearly different mind states, with one common truth, both respectful of the mammoth stage.
Career Stats (as of 2025)
Jasprit Bumrah – Bowling Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
| Tests | 50 | 95 | 4,483 | 226 | 19.83 | 2.78 | 42.7 |
| ODIs | 89 | 88 | 3,509 | 149 | 23.55 | 4.59 | 30.7 |
| T20Is | 75 | 74 | 1,714 | 96 | 17.85 | 6.35 | 16.8 |
Mitchell Starc – Bowling Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
| Tests | 100 | 192 | 10,863 | 402 | 27.02 | 3.41 | 47.4 |
| ODIs | 127 | 127 | 5,711 | 244 | 23.40 | 5.26 | 26.6 |
| T20Is | 65 | 65 | 1,881 | 9 | 23.81 | 7.74 | 18.4 |
Overall Analysis
- Bumrah’s Strength: Precision, economy, and calmness.
- Starc’s Strength: Swing, pace, and early wickets.
- Bumrah’s Legacy: Best death bowler of his generation.
- Starc’s Legacy: Best ICC tournament bowler of his era.
In cricket today, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc belong to two different schools of thought when it comes to fast bowling. Bumrah wins with intellect and discipline; Starc wins with heart and aggression. Both are champions in their own precise and calm, like water, the other tenacious and intense like fire. It is a lucky time to be a cricket fan to watch them bowl in the same generation.