Kolkata, March 8 (Cricketnmore): Expressing dismay over the hype surrounding Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir, star India opener Rohit Sharma on Tuesday heaped lavish praise on his teammate pacer Jasprit Bumrah and hailed him as a special cricketing talent.
Interacting with the media during an ‘open session’, Sharma appeared displeased when his views were sought on Amir who returned to international cricket recently following a five-year ban after being found guilty of spot-fixing in 2010.
“Amir is not the only bowler, there are other bowlers doing well for them (Pakistan). There is so much hype surrounding him, I don’t think there is a need for that. He just returned to cricket, let him perform for at least a year then we can judge,” said Rohit.
The flamboyant batsman also criticised people for comparing Amir with pace legend Wasim Akram.
"He is talented, he is good, but then he needs to prove that over and over. I don’t think it’s appropriate to create so much of hype surrounding him.
“People even have started comparing him to Wasim Akram, this is so very wrong. Let him at least achieve even a little of Akram’s exploits, then we can talk of him.
“He is just a normal bowler, it’s not that he blows away batsmen every time he bowls. I don’t think he deserves so much of hype,” said the Mumbaikar.
Talking about the Indian bowlers, Rohit was all praise for old warhorse Ashish Nehra and the youngster Bumrah.
“Instead of Amir we should talk about Bumrah, a rare talent who has already started to make a mark.
“Of course he has long way ahead, but the way Bumrah has started, I think he will do something special for the country,” said Rohit.
Rohit picked out ‘unpredictability’ as a major weapon for Bumrah who so far has taken 15 scalps from 11 T20 internationals.
“The best thing about him is he is very unpredictable. You really don’t know what will he doing when he is bowling. In fact it is quite difficult to pick him up during the net.
“He has got everything in his bag, he has got a good bouncer, a good yorker and a slower ball, he has everything what a modern day bowler needs,” added Rohit.
Agency.