Jasprit Bumrah vs Mitchell Starc: Who’s Better Bowler After 47 Matches?

By: Cricbites | September 16, 2025

Cricket has always been a hotbed of competition. Not just between teams, but also between players whose skills have sparked endless debates among fans. In the modern era of fast bowling, two names often come to mind when discussing fast bowling: India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Australia’s Mitchell Starc. Both have been formidable weapons for their respective teams, both bowl at terrifying speeds, and both have changed the course of many matches.

But when we put them side by side after 47 Test matches, the big question arises: Who is the better bowler?

Let’s break it down with statistics, performances, impact and situations to make a fair comparison between Bumrah and Starc.

Early Careers: Different Journeys, Same Destination

Mitchell Starc made his Test debut for Australia in 2011 against New Zealand. With left-arm pace, the ability to swing the ball, and brutal yorkers, he quickly became a mainstay in Australia’s attack. However, injuries often kept him from long, consistent spells. Still, he made his mark as one of the best exponents of reverse swing and death bowling in Tests and ODIs.
Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, burst into the international scene much later. He debuted in Tests in 2018 against South Africa, already established as a white-ball giant. What made Bumrah unique was his unconventional action, natural pace, and deadly accuracy.

Both men took different routes but ended up being the spearheads of their sides’ pace attacks.

Bowling Statistics After 47 Test Matches

Let’s compare their numbers after 47 matches to see who edges ahead statistically.

Performance	Jasprit Bumrah (47 Tests)	Mitchell Starc (47 Tests)
Matches	47	47
Innings	90	90
Overs	1525	1640.5
Maidens	361	330
Runs Conceded	4229	5533
Wickets	217	196
Best Bowling (Innings)	6/27	6/50
Best Bowling (Match)	9/86	11/94
Bowling Average	19.48	28.22
Economy Rate	2.77	3.37
Strike Rate	42.1	50.2
5-Wicket Hauls	15	9
10-Wicket Hauls	0	1

On pure numbers, Bumrah comes out on top.

Bowling Styles: Contrast in Approach

Bumrah’s Skillset: Bumrah is known for his accuracy, awkward release, and ability to move the ball both ways at high pace. His yorkers are legendary, and his short ball can surprise batters.
Starc’s Skillset: Starc is a classic left-arm fast bowler, lethal with the new ball and deadly with reverse swing once the ball gets older. His ability to angle the ball across right-handers and swing it back in makes him extremely dangerous

Performances in Home vs Away Conditions

Jasprit Bumrah

Home (India): Despite the stereotype that Indian fast bowlers struggle at home, Bumrah has been successful. His pace and reverse swing allow him to thrive even on spin-friendly tracks.
Away (Overseas): Bumrah has excelled in England, South Africa, and Australia. His 2018–19 series in Australia, where he took 21 wickets, remains one of the defining performances for India abroad.

Mitchell Starc

Home (Australia): Starc is more dominant at home, using pace and bounce to his advantage. His spells at the Gabba and Perth are unforgettable.
Away (Subcontinent/England): He has had mixed success in Asia, struggling with consistency on slow, turning pitches. In England, his swing has troubled batters, but he hasn’t been as dominant compared to at home.

Verdict: Bumrah has shown more adaptability across conditions, whereas Starc has been a home specialist.

Big Match Performances

Bumrah: He has been India’s go-to bowler in crunch moments. We can see that in the 2021 Lord’s Test win against England, the 2023 WTC final against Australia, or the Border-Gavaskar series. His wickets often break partnerships and shift momentum.
Starc: He has delivered in World Cups (especially the 2015 edition) and in the Ashes, producing match-winning spells. However, his Test match consistency against top teams abroad has sometimes been questioned.

Injury Battles and Longevity

Both Bumrah and Starc have faced injury setbacks.

Bumrah missed almost a year of cricket due to a back injury in 2022–23 but returned stronger.
Starc has had recurring foot and ankle injuries that interrupted his career.

The difference is that Bumrah, despite a late debut, has maintained elite performance levels almost every time he has played. Starc, though brilliant, has had more inconsistent phases.

Leadership and Impact

Bumrah is often described as a bowler’s captain, having led India briefly in 2022. His calm demeanor and tactical acumen add to his aura. He also inspires India’s new generation of pacers.
Starc, while not a regular leader, has been Australia’s strike bowler and complements Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood perfectly. He is the “X-factor” in their attack.

Both bowlers are match-winners, but Bumrah’s leadership qualities give him an added edge.

Fan and Expert Opinions

Fans in India hail Bumrah as the best Indian fast bowler ever. He is someone who has broken the stereotype that Indian pace cannot dominate globally.
Fans in Australia regard Starc as one of their best ODI bowlers, but in Tests, he is often compared unfavorably to Pat Cummins and Hazlewood.

Many cricket experts like Michael Vaughan and Wasim Akram have praised Bumrah’s rare ability to succeed in all conditions. Starc, meanwhile, is admired for his wicket-taking threat.

Who’s Better After 47 Matches?

When we take all factors like statistics, consistency, adaptability, and match impact, then, Bumrah is better than Starc. Some reasons for that are:

Statistically superior (average, strike rate, wickets).
Greater adaptability across conditions.
Better economy rate, which is crucial in Tests.

However, Starc’s contribution cannot be underestimated. His left-arm bowling and wicket-taking ability make him invaluable, especially in Australian conditions. He may not match Bumrah’s consistency, but he has played a vital role in some of Australia’s biggest victories.

Conclusion

The Bumrah vs Starc debate highlights the beauty of modern fast bowling. One is a right-arm enigma with an unconventional action, while the other is a left-arm fast bowler with a conventional swing. Both have changed the way their teams approach Test cricket.

After 47 matches, Jasprit Bumrah is the better bowler in terms of impact, but cricket fans should consider themselves lucky to have seen both of them in action. Their contrasting styles ensure that the art of fast bowling, whatever the conditions, continues to flourish.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. Who has better bowling statistics after 47 matches: Bumrah or Starc?

Jasprit Bumrah has better statistics than Starc (182 wickets, average 28.4), has a better average (21.9), strike rate (46) and more wickets (225).

Q2. Has Mitchell Starc been more successful in limited overs than Tests?

Yes, Starc has been a superb ODI and World Cup bowler, often considered one of the greatest bowlers in white-ball cricket. While his Test career has been impressive, it has seen more ups and downs.