- July 17, 2025
Cricket fans love a good stat fight, especially when it is fast bowlers who have batters hopping around like they were dodging land mines. When it comes to pace bowling, Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah are two destructive names to have crossed the paths of batters from different continents. Both had immediate impact, both possess different styles, and both have been match-winners in their own right.
Chasing Scalps: Starc’s Fireworks or Bumrah’s Surgical Strikes?
In terms of wickets after 47 Tests, Bumrah has the most (217 wickets) and the best average (19.48) of anyone, anywhere, which puts him in elite company – McGrath, Ambrose company. And it even gets better; Bumrah has done this using a fresh action and precision, and a brand of reverse swing that makes it feel like the old ball is 2005 again.
Starc isn’t that far behind, though. The Aussie left-armer had 196 wickets from his first 47 games at an average of 28.22. His angle across the right-handers, his late swing, and his toe-crushing yorkers are legendary, if not highlight reels only found on YouTube.
Winning Matches: Who Delivers When It Counts?
A real pacer is not just about numbers—it is about producing when it matters most for the team. And in this category, Bumrah tops the list again. Of the 47 Tests he has played, India have won 20, and in those matches, Bumrah has taken 110 wickets at an astonishing average of 14.50. That is ridiculous. He is not just showing up; he is putting the opposition on the back foot and breaking them.
At the same time, Starc in Winning Matters? 99 wickets in 23 wins at 25.65 average – not bad, but nowhere near Bumrah-surgical. Starc’s five-fors usually came in games that Australia lost, so while he was brilliant at times, it wasn’t enough to save his team.
Bumrah is India’s death blow. When India wins, Bumrah is almost always the headline. The upshift Bumrah can settle at crunch time – I think of the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy – separates him from very good and great.
The Away Test Masterclass: Who’s the Better Road Warrior?
Resting on a patio induces a feeling of comfort; taking other people’s space is a legacy. Bumrah’s away credentials are historically significant: 170 wickets in 34 away Tests (19.58), with 13 five-fers. Don’t be surprised – I mean, Bumrah is a nomad, and he is typically absorbing wickets at home as trophies. Starc’s away numbers? Good, but not earth-shattering: 84 wickets in 21 away Tests at an average of 26.77 with six five-fers. Good return, but not the same sense of dominance that Bumrah has had, and effectively demonstrated.
And just for the record of facts, Bumrah’s journey started in South Africa, arguably the toughest place to make your debut as a fast bowler. He not only tasted it, he flourished, which tells you everything you need to know about his temperament and skillset.
Both Starc and Bumrah are legends of the modern era of fast bowling, but if we are basing it on statistics, impact, and ruthlessness after 47 Tests, Bumrah has the edge on Starc. He is not just taking wickets; he is forming wins, repeatedly, in foreign conditions.
However, Starc is exciting with pace, and the flamboyant style keeps it interesting. Who would you prefer—Bumrah’s machine-like relentlessness or Starc’s unsolvable missiles? This is up for debate amongst fans for sure, and sleep can be lost over.
What about you? Give us your opinion in the comments—Team Starc or Team Bumrah?
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