When cricket fans debate the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era, two names consistently dominate the conversation — Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc. Both are match-winners, both have unique skill sets, and both have redefined fast bowling in their own ways. Yet their impact, approach, and statistical footprint differ sharply, making this comparison one of the most compelling in world cricket.
Below is a deep dive into Bumrah vs Starc across formats, skills, achievements, and big-match influence.
Bowling Style and Skillset Comparison
Jasprit Bumrah: The Master of Precision
Bowling Type: Right-arm fast
Strengths: Deadly accuracy, awkward release, seam movement, unplayable yorkers
Specialty: Bowling in death overs and pressure situations
Unique Factor: Ability to produce wicket-taking deliveries out of nowhere
Bumrah’s action and control make him one of the most difficult bowlers to read. He can swing the ball conventionally, reverse it late, and nail yorkers with machine-like precision. His adaptability across formats plays a huge role in his status as one of the best all-format bowlers in the world.
Mitchell Starc: The Left-Arm Thunderbolt
Bowling Type: Left-arm fast
Strengths: Raw pace, late swing, lethal yorkers, bounce
Specialty: Destroying top orders with the new ball
Unique Factor: Best strike rate in World Cup history
Starc brings the intimidation factor. His 145+ km/h speed combined with late swing makes him one of the most fearsome bowlers on the planet. His ability to uproot stumps with swinging yorkers is unmatched in ICC tournaments.
Statistical Comparison (as of 2025)
Test Cricket:
Metric | Mitchell Starc | Jasprit Bumrah |
Matches | 102 | 52 |
Innings | 196 | 99 |
Balls Bowled | 19,471 | 10,031 |
Runs Conceded | 11,115 | 4,631 |
Wickets | 420 | 234 |
Best Bowling (Innings) | 7/58 | 6/27 |
Best Bowling (Match) | 11/94 | 9/86 |
Bowling Average | 26.46 | 19.79 |
Economy Rate | 3.42 | 2.77 |
Strike Rate | 46.3 | 42.8 |
4-Wicket Hauls | 20 | 7 |
5-Wicket Hauls | 18 | 16 |
10-Wicket Hauls | 3 | 0 |
* Stats are taken on 15th Dec, 2025
Test Comparison Summary:
Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate |
Bumrah | Highly consistent in all conditions | Among the world’s best averages | 19.79 | 42.8 |
Starc | Proven match-winner for Australia | Slightly higher average | 26.46 | 46.3 |
Verdict: Bumrah leads in Tests due to superior control, adaptability, and consistency overseas.
ODI Cricket:
Metric | Mitchell Starc | Jasprit Bumrah |
Matches | 130 | 89 |
Innings | 130 | 88 |
Balls Bowled | 6,638 | 4,580 |
Runs Conceded | 5,826 | 3,509 |
Wickets | 247 | 149 |
Best Bowling (Innings) | 6/28 | 6/19 |
Best Bowling (Match) | 6/28 | 6/19 |
Bowling Average | 23.58 | 23.55 |
Economy Rate | 5.26 | 4.59 |
Strike Rate | 26.8 | 30.7 |
4-Wicket Hauls | 12 | 6 |
5-Wicket Hauls | 9 | 2 |
10-Wicket Hauls | 0 | 0 |
ODI Cricket Comparison Summary:
Player | Strength in ODIs |
Jasprit Bumrah | Economy king, brilliant at death, reliable in all phases. |
Mitchell Starc | ICC tournament beast, unmatched wicket-taker in World Cups. |
Verdict: Starc has the edge in ODIs, especially in global tournaments.
T20 / IPL
Bumrah: One of the greatest T20/ IPL bowlers of all time, consistent across seasons.
Starc: Deadly on his day but inconsistent in IPL; more effective in international T20s.
Verdict: Bumrah dominates the T20 comparison.
Impact in Big Matches
Bumrah
Phenomenal in crunch overs
Rarely misses his mark
Key performer in India’s major overseas Test wins
Starc
The ultimate ICC event match-winner
Dominated 2015 and 2019 World Cups
Known for turning matches in one spell
Verdict:
ICC Events: Starc
Overall pressure situations: Bumrah
Achievements: Bumrah vs Starc
Jasprit Bumrah
No.1 ICC Test bowler multiple times
Only Asian fast bowler with 5-wicket hauls in SA, ENG, AUS
IPL champion and award-winning performer
Mitchell Starc
World Cup Winner (2015, 2023)
Fastest to 200 ODI wickets
Best bowling strike rate in ODI World Cup history
Multiple Ashes-winning campaigns
Who Is Better Overall?
The answer depends on the format:
Tests: Jasprit Bumrah
A generational red-ball bowler with unmatched consistency and versatility.
ODIs: Mitchell Starc
A global tournament monster whose World Cup legacy is unparalleled.
T20s: Jasprit Bumrah
More effective, economical, and reliable.
Both Bumrah and Starc are modern-day fast-bowling icons who dominate cricket in their own distinctive styles. Bumrah wins on skill, control, and all-format excellence, while Starc wins on pace, swing, and big-tournament dominance.
In the end, comparing them is less about who is better and more about appreciating two fast-bowling geniuses who have shaped an entire generation.
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Also check some interesting H2H in Cricket World here: Cricket Player Head to Head Stats
