Former India opener Aakash Chopra recently shared his list of the top seven yorker bowlers, singling out some of the most iconic names in cricket history. On his YouTube channel, Chopra praised the unique skills of these bowlers, who have made the yorker their signature delivery.
The master of yorkers
Chopra began with Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, renowned for his deadly yorkers. He lauded Malinga’s ability to bowl yorkers with a lower trajectory and his innovative use of slower yorkers. Malinga’s distinctive bowling style and precision made him a standout performer in modern cricket.
“You cannot go far from him in modern-day cricket. You cannot look at anyone else apart from him. He made practicing yorkers by keeping shoes popular – 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 had a slower yorker,” said Chopra.
The legendary Pakistani duo
Chopra also highlighted the impact of Pakistani greats Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. Younis, with his slight round-arm action and devastating yorkers, was described by Chopra as a bowler with mesmerizing rhythm. Meanwhile, Akram, known for his versatility and ability to alter angles, was celebrated for his complete bowling prowess. Chopra noted that Akram’s skill in adjusting his action added to his effectiveness with the yorker.
“Then I remember someone who used to come running from far. He too had a slight round-arm action. Just watching him run was a delight. Sometimes with the new ball as well but he was absolutely lethal with the old ball. The bowler’s name is Waqar Younis. His rhythm was worth watching. After that, I am thinking Wasim bhai. He is among the two Ws – Waqar and Wasim, and Wasim was different. He firstly used to change the angles a lot, bowl over and around the stumps, with a slight round-arm action or high-action as per his wish. Wasim Akram was that complete bowler who used to behold,” he added.
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The modern-day masters
Turning to current players, Chopra praised Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Bumrah’s yorker to Ollie Pope was highlighted as a prime example of his exceptional skill. Chopra described Bumrah’s yorkers as “bullet-like” and impactful. Shami, on the other hand, was recognized for his impressive debut performance against the West Indies and his ability to deliver precise yorkers in crucial moments, including his spell against South Africa in Vizag.
“That brings me to a white-ball and red-ball genius. He is also an absolute beast. He is our pride – Boom Boom Bumrah. What a bowler. The yorker he bowled to Ollie Pope, you can keep watching it on loop. Ollie Pope had no hope. The ball came in as a bullet and hit the stumps. He has bowled many yorkers like that. I also remember Mohammed Shami. He is so brilliant. If you can see his debut, it was against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, he had taken a five-wicket haul, the yorkers were hitting the stumps. I think he had taken five wickets against South Africa in their second innings on the fifth day in Vizag. There also he bowled excellent yorkers,” explained Chopra.
Other notable mentions
Chopra rounded off his list with mentions of Andrew Flintoff and Dwayne Bravo. Flintoff’s yorkers, particularly during the 2005 Ashes series, were noted for their effectiveness with reverse swing. Bravo’s versatility in white-ball cricket, including his skillful use of slower yorkers and ability to bowl around the stumps, earned him a spot on Chopra’s list.
“After that, there will be a little debate. There could be personal preferences. I am just throwing some names. I used to like Andrew Flintoff’s yorkers a lot, especially in the 2005 Ashes where the ball was reverse swinging a lot. He had a slightly different open-body, high-arm action but very quick in the air. Dwayne Bravo – he has bowled a lot in white-ball cricket, over and around the stumps. Very few right-arm bowlers have gone around the stumps but he has. He has bowled a lot of slower yorkers as well. He was not in the same pace bracket but very, very effective,” Chopra added further.
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