When you talk about the most fascinating deliveries in cricket, there are just a few that come to mind along with all-time favorite Yorker delivery. The thing with throwing a yorker to a batsman is that if you, as a bowler, don’t do it right or correctly, it can definitely result in a sixer or four. That’s why it is fair to say that Throwing Yorker is nothing short of an art form.
Of course, without the artist, there are no art forms or art pieces, right? Well, thankfully, in the history of cricket, India has had some of the best Yorker bowlers in the world. And guess what? Today’s post is all about just that. Here we will be getting to know about the top 10 best Yorker Bowlers in India of all time. So get ready because we are about to dive deep here, and here we go.
List of Top Yorker Bowler In India Ever
1. Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah is currently the best Yorker bowler, not just in India, but in the world. And we can arguably say that Jasprit Bumrah is the best fast-paced bowler that team India had in such a long time. Especially after the era of Iran Pathan and Zaheer Khan. What makes Bumrah so special is his unique bowling style, which is quite similar to the man himself, Lasith Malinga. And because of that, Yorker is the signature delivery of Bumrah, which is quite understandable. Jasrpit Bumrah has been an important part of Team India for a long time now, and he is not showing any sign of slowing down anytime soon. Which is a good thing for all the cricket lovers out there. Don’t you think?
2. Irfan Pathan
There once was an era when Irfan Pathan used to rule the pitches all across the world. If you remember watching Irfan Pathan bowl, you must remember the time when Adam Gilchrist had to face Irfan’s fierce bowling attack in Australia in Sydney in 2003. In his bowling spell at that time, he bowled a delivery that took the 13th place in the list of the “Ball of the Century.” It was a Yorker delivery, for sure a beautiful and well-bowled one. Along with that, he has many achievements to his name like that one time he became the one and only player to ever take a hat-trick in the very first over of a test match. Unfortunately, Irfan Pathan retired from all the formats of cricket in the year 2020.
3. Zaheer Khan
Known as the “Master Of Pace Bowling,” Zaheer Khan once was a gem and the most integral part of the Indian cricket team. He made his first debut on the international stage against Bangladesh in a test match in the year 2000. Since then, he never looked back and kept on improving himself to the point where he was the best fast-paced bowler India ever had. The thing that made him the best fast-paced bowler at that time was his skill to swing the bowl on demand. An on-demand swing with accuracy and Yorker is for sure a killer combo that Zaheer was a master of. Remember when in 2000, Andrew Hall had to face this killer combo by Zaheer Khan? Andrew Hall was completely baffled and dumbfounded about how he got bowled by that incredible Yorker.
4. Ashish Nehra
In the world of cricket, there are very few bowlers who have been as impactful as Ashish Nehra with their left-arm medium-fast bowling. Imagine this, consistently landing the ball in the blockhole, leaving batsmen puzzled and baffled. This was Nehra’s special thing, his yorker deliveries were always on point. He was a maestro at generating late swings with the old ball, making batsmen double-guess the trajectory. Yorking the batsman at a good pace, or at times changing it up with a slower yorker, keeping everyone guessing, truly made him a delight to watch. Wouldn’t you agree?
5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Now let’s talk about Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a bowler who has been celebrated for his exceptional control and yorker delivery. His accuracy is nothing short of an art form, always hitting the blockhole with pinpoint precision. But wait, that’s not it! The swing he can get, both conventional and reverse, leaves batsmen scrambling. His yorkers are so effective, batsmen often get beaten even before they can bring their bat down. And let’s not forget, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s strategic thinking, especially during the death overs, is something every cricket lover appreciates. With his consistent yorker deliveries and sharp understanding of the game, Kumar surely is a nightmare for any batsman, especially during the IPL. You have seen his form in the IPL, right?
6. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is a name every cricket fan admires, a remarkable all-rounder in the history of cricket. While Dev was a master of swing and seam bowling, his Yorkers often took a backseat. However, when he did unleash it, the late swing coupled with the yorker length, it was a sight to behold. Remember how he used to swing the ball late, leaving batsmen in two minds about the line and length? That, combined with a Yorker, was a killer combo most of the time.
7. Mohammed Shami
Fast-forward to today, and we have Mohammed Shami, a gem in the crown of the Indian cricket team. Shami, a right-arm fast bowler, is known for his late swing and his yorkers. His ability to land yorker-length deliveries with remarkable accuracy and consistency makes him one of the best in the game. Shami’s yorkers, armed with swing and seam, leave batsmen dumbfounded. Imagine facing a delivery that’s swinging late and is a Yorker. Tricky, right? That’s what Shami is known for on the pitch. A vital part of the Indian cricket team, Shami is definitely an artist of his craft.
8. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma is, without a doubt, one of the Indian cricket team’s high-flyers. Just like a yorker delivery, he took the international cricket stage by storm when he made his Test cricket debut back in 2007 against Bangladesh. You bet, since then, he’s been a significant force in the Indian bowling lineup. His towering height, lightning-quick pace, and ability to generate an incredible bounce are just a few reasons he stands out. Now, while Ishant is known for swinging the ball and generating bounce that can leave batsmen baffled, he’s not typically seen as a master yorker bowler. Of course, he has delivered his share of yorkers, but it’s not his go-to move, not the primary strength he’s known for across the globe.
9. Javagal Srinath
Talk about pace, and Javagal Srinath’s name comes right up. His ability to extract extra bounce and bowl with raw pace left many batsmen perplexed. Srinath’s yorkers were particularly effective, his height and high-arm action adding to their lethality. Remember how batsmen struggled to counter his deliveries in the later stages of an inning? That was quite a thrilling experience to watch, and that’s what people loved the most about Javagal Srinath’s bowling.
10. Lakshmipathy Balaji
Last but definitely not least, it is finally the time to talk about L. Balaji, a right-arm medium-fast bowler known for his deceptive change of pace and his ability to swing the ball. What set him apart, however, was his ability to execute Yorkers with precision and consistency. Remember those deliveries that swung late, landed in the blockhole, and left batsmen stumped? That was Balaji’s actual craft on the pitch. His calm and composed temperament in pressure situations and his ability to execute yorkers consistently was what made him stand out. A true Yorker artist in every sense, wouldn’t you say?
Conclusion
There you have it. These ten are the true kings or masters of Yorker deliveries from India in the history of cricket. We will not get to see some of them in any other cricket game now, but some of their incredible spells live in the hearts of cricket lovers rent-free. But yeah, because these legends have inspired many young talents, that’s why the future of Indian bowling looks incredibly bright.
Passionate sports content writer, Rocky delves into the world of athletics with a keen eye for detail. With a background in journalism, he transforms moments on the field into compelling narratives that resonate with readers.
