Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan take stock of the performances of Indian cricket team stars Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli in the recent blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.
Virat Kohli had a forgettable tour of Australia, amassing just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75 and was left behind while playing outside off stump in all eight of his dismissals, as India lost the five-match Test series 1-3 to the hosts earlier this month.
Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan evaluate the performances of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
However, Jasprit Bumrah had a remarkable outing, finishing the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 32 wickets in nine innings as he was unable to bowl in the final innings of the Sydney Test due to a back spasm. He was named Player of the Series for his amazing bowling performance in Australia.
Days after Australia won the BGT title by a 3-1 margin against India a decade later, Adam Gilchrist gave a glowing review of Virat Kohli's performance in the Test series. The legendary cricketer praised Kohli for his all-round impact on the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
Adam Gilchrist described Kohli as a “complete package” for his unparalleled charisma and ability to charm the crowd. The Australian legend rated the former India captain 7.5 out of 10 for his ability to bring excitement and 'eyeballs' to the game, in reference to the drama he experienced on the field with the Aussies.
He's a total package: Adam Gilchrist in Virat Kohli
“We said it,” Adam Gilchrist said on the “Club Prairie Fire” YouTube channel. It's an all-in-one package. He brings eyeballs to the game. So, yeah, 7.5/10.”
Moreover, Gilchrist praised India's Jasprit Bumrah for his bowling prowess. He claimed that Bumrah would have smashed batting legends like Sir Don Bradman in his peak. The former Australian wicket-keeper-batsman boldly claimed that Bumrah would have dismissed Bradman in just a few balls.
“I'm not evaluating him,” Gilchrist noted. There is no number that befits what it is in global sports. I'm beyond Trinity, seriously. He would have torn Bradman's top as far as balls were concerned. It would have been much farther south of 99 (on average) where they sit (if they faced each other). I'll give Donald 35 from Bmrah. You can't get a reward high enough for him. “
Michael Vaughan hails Jasprit Bumrah as 'GOAT', calls Virat Kohli an entertainment package
Meanwhile, in the same discussion, former England captain Michael Vaughan pointed out that Virat Kohli entertained fans with his passion and antics on the field. Vaughan Kohli gave a solid 7/10 rating for entertaining the crowd with his energy and interactions with the crowd and the Australian players.
“Virat brought the barge and the sandpaper and got the crowd going,” Michael Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire. “He's probably running at Konstas faster than I've ever seen anyone run at a player in the history of the game. I'll give him 7/10 for Virat Kohli's entertainment.”
In the end, the Englishman praised Jasprit Bumrah as a 'GOAT' and gave him a perfect 10/10 rating. Vaughan signed off by saying: “10/10. Well, he's as good as my generation describes him. Greatest sportsman of all time.”
