He Is More Valuable Than Kohinoor Diamond: Dinesh Karthik Praises 30-Year-Old Indian Star

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has reserved big praise for 30-year-old Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah by stating that the right-arm fast bowler is more valuable than the Kohinoor diamond. Bumrah was in red-hot form for India in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which was hosted by the West Indies and the USA. The star bowler played a big role in helping the Rohit Sharma-led side lift the title by accounting for the dismissal of 15 batters in eight matches. For his super show with the ball, he won the Player of the Series award.

Days after India’s seven-run win in the T20 World Cup 2024 final over South Africa, Karthik, who announced his retirement from professional cricket in May 2024 after playing in the IPL 2024 for RCB, took to Cricbuzz’s X handle to answer fans’ questions. In reply to a query related to Bumrah, Karthik said that the star pacer is the greatest all-format bowler at the moment in world cricket.

“When I was on air, I said he is more valuable than a Kohinoor diamond. Genuinely, he is the greatest all-format bowler at the moment in world cricket. Under pressure to come and keep performing time and time again, not many can do that,” Karthik said.

“He’s a captain’s dream—someone who wins at any stage, any play of the match—that’s what makes him so special. Brilliant, fantabulous—that’s the word for him,” he added.

In the T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah played in all eight matches for Team India and won Player of the Match awards against Ireland and Pakistan. Apart from finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah didn’t leak runs either, which helped India build pressure on the opposition players. He finished the tournament with a bowling economy of 4.18 and an average of 8.27.

Bumrah, who made his T20I debut for India against Australia in Adelaide on January 26, 2016, has played in a total of 70 matches so far. With 89 wickets to his name, Bumrah is the third-leading wicket-taker for Team India in the shortest format of the game.