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New Delhi: Star South Africa cricketer Faf du Plessis showered praise on Indias pacer Jasprit Bumrah calling him the toughest bowler in world cricket and humorously added that he hopes the ace seamer never features in South Africas SA20 league. While speaking at an event in Mumbai during SA20 India Day Joburg Super Kings key batter du Plessis said Bumrah is the toughest bowler in the world to face. Hope we don’t see him in SA20. The 39-year-old who has played alongside Bumrah in both international and franchise cricket noted that the Indian pacers unique bowling action and pinpoint accuracy make him a formidable challenge even for top batters. Bumrah has been in outstanding form across formats Since making his comeback from injury earlier this year Bumrah has been in outstanding form across formats playing a crucial role in Indias 2-1 T20I series victory against Australia after their unbeaten run to the 2024 T20 World Cup title. Indias T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav who led the team during the Australia series praised Bumrah for elevating the bowling unit with his leadershio and shard tactical awareness. From a bowling point of view as well people are taking responsibility said after the series. Having an experienced bowler like Bumrah around in the team and everyone chatting with him learning a lot of skills tricks and trade of the game — I think thats a good thing. So theres good friendship building up in that as well. Bumrahs T20I stat Bumrahs influence goes far beyond his impressive numbers. In 79 T20I the 31-year-old has picked 99 wickets in 77 innings at an average of 18.11 and an economy rate of 6.36 making him Indias second-highest wicket taker in the format after Arshdeep Singh. Team Indias head coach Gautam Gambhir also reflected on Bumrahs evolving role in the team emphasizing the tactical shift in using him more aggressively with the new ball. During the Asia Cup and the following tour of Australia India frequently bowled Bumrah for three overs in the powerplay a move Gambhir called a statement of intent. Gambhir reflected on Bumrahs evolving role in the team Look a lot of people relate to this T20 side as a very aggressive batting lineup Gambhir said in a video released by the BCCI. For me bowling Jassis three in the first six was an even more aggressive option with the ball. We dont want to be a side known only for aggressive batting. We want to be a side thats aggressive overall. No one has ever bowled Jassis three overs in the first six. Bumrah has been a key factor in Indias streak of seven straight T20I series victories since the World Cup. His knack for taking early wickets and controlling the game in the death overs has made him Indias most prized weapon and a global standard for fast-bowling excellence that even veterans like du Plessis find almost impossible to challenge.