Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra named 7 best yorker bowlers, including 2 Indian pacers

India’s opener Akash Chopra recently shared his list of the seven best yorkers, pulling out the biggest names in cricket history. In his own YouTube channel, Chopra praised the unique skills of these bowlers, who have made the yorker their signature.

Boss of yorkers

Chopra started with a legend from Sri Lanka Lasith Malingafamous for his killer yorkers. He praised Malinga’s ability to bowl yorkers in a low-level manner and his use of slow pacers. Malinga’s unique style of bowling and accuracy have made him a great player in modern cricket.

“You can’t go far with him in modern cricket. You can’t look at anyone else but him. He made practice yorkers by keeping the shoes famous – Lasith Malinga. Lasith Malinga was an absolute beast. His yorkers were different because they came with a lower trajectory. He was a genius. He also has a slow yoker,” Chopra said.

Famous Pakistani duo

Chopra also highlighted the influence of Pakistani celebrities Waqar Younis again Wasim Akram. Younis, with his small round arm action and devastating yorkers, was described by Chopra as a bowler with exciting rhythm. Meanwhile, Akram, known for his versatility and ability to change angles, was celebrated for his complete bowling prowess. Chopra noted that Akram’s ability to adjust his action added to his performance with the yorker.

“Then I remembered someone who used to come running from far away. He also had a small round hand. Just watching him run was a joy. Sometimes with the new ball but he was killing with the old ball. The name of the bowler is Waqar Younis. His rhythm was worth watching. After that, I think Wasim bhai. He is between two W’s – Waqar and Wasim, and Wasim was different. In the beginning he used to change angles a lot, swinging and going around the stumps, doing a small round action or a high action as per his wish. Wasim Akram was a complete player who used to watch,” he added.

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The kings of today

Turning to the current players, Chopra praised the Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah again Mohammed Shami. Bumrah’s Yorker to Ollie Pope he was highlighted as an outstanding example of his unique skill. Chopra described Bumrah’s yorkers as “bullets” and impactful. Shami, on the other hand, has been praised for his impressive debut against the West Indies and his ability to deliver accurate wickets at crucial times, including his performance against South Africa in Vizag.

“That brings me to the logic of the white ball and the red ball. He is also a complete animal. You are our pride – Boom Boom Bumrah. What a thrower. The yorker he bowled to Ollie Pope, you can watch it on loop. Ollie Pope was hopeless. The ball went in like a bullet and hit the stumps. He has bowled so many yorkers. I also remember Mohammed Shami. You are very smart. If you see his first match, it was against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, he took a five-wicket haul, yorkers hit the sticks. I think he has taken five wickets against South Africa in their second innings on the fifth day in Vizag. That’s when you hit some classy yorkers,” Chopra explained.

Some notable mentions

Chopra finished his list by mentioning Andrew Flintoff again Dwayne Bravo. Flintoff’s yorkers, especially during the 2005 Ashes series, were noted for their performance with reverse throws. Bravo’s versatility in white-ball cricket, including his use of slow bowlers and ability to bowl near the stumps, earned him a place in Chopra’s list.

“After that there will be a little debate. There may be personal preferences. I’m just throwing words around. I really liked Andrew Flintoff’s players, especially in the 2005 Ashes when the ball was swinging a lot. He had a slightly open body, a high but quick arm movement in the air. Dwayne Bravo – has bowled a lot of white ball cricket, both sides of the stumps. Very few right-arm bowlers have gone around the stumps but he did. He bowled a lot of slower players as well. He was not in the same speed bracket but he was very efficient,” Chopra added further.

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