Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra recently shared his insights on the best yorker bowlers in modern-day cricket, highlighting the skill and impact of this particular delivery, especially in limited-overs formats. In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra praised the Indian duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami for their ability to consistently execute lethal yorkers.
He also hailed Sri Lanka‘s Lasith Malinga as the most lethal yorker specialist, known for popularizing the technique of practicing yorkers with a shoe. Additionally, Chopra acknowledged the prowess of Pakistan’s Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, England’s Andrew Flintoff, and Australia’s Mitchell Starc, among others, for their mastery over this potent delivery.
The Masters of Yorker Bowling: Acknowledging Legends and Current Stars
Yorkers have long been considered one of the most effective deliveries in cricket, capable of rattling even the most well-set batsmen. Aakash Chopra, in a recent video, lauded Lasith Malinga as the ultimate yorker bowler, emphasizing his unconventional low-arm action and unique practice methods, such as aiming at a pair of shoes. Malinga’s ability to bowl a variety of yorkers, including slower ones, made him a formidable opponent in any format, particularly in white-ball cricket. His lethal precision and adaptability to bowl both with the new and old ball set a benchmark for yorker bowling.
Chopra also highlighted Pakistan’s legendary duo of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, both of whom were renowned for their mastery of reverse swing and yorkers. Waqar’s explosive pace and unique round-arm action made his yorkers unplayable, especially with the old ball. Wasim Akram, on the other hand, combined his ability to change angles and use various bowling actions to keep the batsmen guessing, earning him a reputation as one of the most complete bowlers in the game’s history. Their contributions to cricket have made the yorker an essential weapon for seam bowlers.
Modern-Day Yorker Specialists: Bumrah and Beyond
Among the current crop of cricketers, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as a yorker specialist. Known for his unconventional bowling action and ability to deliver inch-perfect yorkers, Bumrah has repeatedly demonstrated his skill in high-pressure situations. A notable example was his dismissal of Ollie Pope in a Test match, where a yorker delivered with bullet-like speed crashed into the stumps, leaving Pope with no chance of survival. Bumrah’s consistency and precision make him a vital asset to the Indian cricket team in both red-ball and white-ball formats.
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Chopra also mentioned other contemporary bowlers who excel at delivering yorkers, including Mohammed Shami, Andrew Flintoff, Dwayne Bravo, and Mitchell Starc. Shami’s debut performance against the West Indies, where his yorkers dismantled the opposition, showcased his ability to bowl lethal toe-crushers. Similarly, Mitchell Starc’s left-arm pace and his willingness to bowl full-length deliveries with both the new and old ball make him a constant threat. While Bravo and Flintoff may not have the same pace as their counterparts, their control and execution of slower yorkers add variety and effectiveness to their bowling arsenal, especially in white-ball cricket.
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