Steyn was one of the best players in cricket, tormenting batsmen all over the world and, more often than not, ignoring the surroundings.
During his playing days, Dale Steyn’s bowling reigned terror inside every batsmen’s mind. He has almost 400 test wickets under his belt and a bowling average of around 40. Dale Steyn bowled in the era when cricket was mostly known as a batsmen game, but also at that time, one such bowler who could take wickets at will is Dale Steyn.
Fast bowlers dominated during Dale Steyn’s career. With a sportsperson run-up, a crisp attitude to the bowling crease, and a style that delivered excellent out-swing, Steyn was one of the best fast bowlers to ever play the game. Several factors may have had a role, including the growing popularity of T20 cricket, which has led to batsmen making technical errors, but the quality of fast bowling remains the most important.
The fact that he was just as good with the old ball, reversing it repeatedly, made things considerably more difficult for the batsmen. However, injuries impeded him at the conclusion of his career, even though he could have joined James Anderson, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Broad, and Courtney Walsh in the 500-club.
It’s hard to imagine Steyn is capable of anything other than rapid bowling, but the former right-arm seamer has shown he can handle social media on several occasions.
A fan replied to Dale Steyn’s tweet claiming that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is a better fast bowler than him
His sarcastic side resurfaced, winning hearts across the world, even in India.
Bumrah is better than you.
— Sayan😷 (@Sayan_Dasss) April 12, 2022
Implying that the only reason Bumrah is better than him right now is that he is 38 years old and no longer plays international cricket, he remarked,
“I’m sure he is, I’m retired.”
Im sure he is, I’m retired.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) April 12, 2022
As soon as he replied to this, his tweet went viral on social media, many fans across the world and even from India praised him for taking the odd criticism in stride and responding appropriately.
Below are some of the reactions to Steyn’s tweet
That’s the thing about legends, they are never insecure about other rising stars….massive respect @DaleSteyn62 🙏 https://t.co/U0Ivmnfyof pic.twitter.com/woDoFaEBRY
— Yash (@itsoutrageeyash) April 14, 2022
Lol, class response https://t.co/qlKfhWaR8q
— Tej (@tjtex26) April 13, 2022
You are a GOAT. No doubt in that https://t.co/ZJr2Bx9D0p
— பிரபு சிவலிங்கம் (@prabhujack82) April 13, 2022
Steyn gun giving emotional damage 😂😂 @DaleSteyn62 💜 https://t.co/yUk1dWU0Ji
— Rishabh Kalawatia (@rishabh88864) April 13, 2022
@Jaspritbumrah93 himself will deny this with pride. Boom has along way to go.
Ignore these people Dale. They haven’t watched you. https://t.co/d3qAAGl6zm— Ishan Mandal (@ishansports) April 13, 2022
Since making his debut in Australia in 2015, Bumrah has rapidly established himself as India’s go-to pacer across all three formats. However, comparisons to Steyn are pretty unfair.
The right-arm bowler Bumrah, who is already playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2022, has already shown indications of being an all-time great. But is Jasprit Bumrah truly on par with bowlers like Dale Steyn, and is it fair to compare him to Dale Steyn at quite an early age? This is a question that has yet to be answered. And let me clarify that only time can answer this question, not any random social media user.
Taunting great players without having any proper knowledge will only make you silly in front of the more knowledgeable person.
Steyn announced his retirement in August last year after a stellar career that included 93 Tests, 125 One-Day Internationals, and 47 Twenty-20 Internationals for South Africa.