In a dazzling display of fast bowling during the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad, Jasprit Bumrah etched a new record into Indian cricket lore. The star pacer officially became the fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 Test wickets on home soil, achieving this remarkable feat in just 1,747 deliveries.
This impressive achievement saw Bumrah significantly outpace fellow quick Mohammed Shami, who previously held the record, requiring 2,267 deliveries to reach the half-century mark of home Test wickets.
Bumrah sealed his place in history with a classic, unplayable yorker that sent Johann Layne back to the pavilion. He wasn’t done there, also dismissing John Campbell and Justin Greaves to finish with exceptional figures of 3 for 42 runs, playing a pivotal role in limiting West Indies to a total of 162 runs in just 44.1 overs.
Looking at the number of innings, Bumrah has again shown his unparalleled efficiency. He became the quickest Indian fast bowler to secure 50 home Test wickets, achieving this milestone in just 24 innings. This incredible pace matches the record previously set by Javagal Srinath, a legend of Indian cricket, though Bumrah did it with fewer deliveries.
Following closely behind these two greats on the elite list is the iconic Kapil Dev, who reached 50 home Test wickets in 25 innings. Both Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, celebrated pacers in their own right, each took 27 innings to achieve the same milestone.
Delving deeper into statistics, among the 30 bowlers who have amassed 50 or more Test wickets in India, Bumrah boasts the most impressive average of 17. The only other bowler in this exclusive club with an average below 20 for wickets taken in India is Australia’s Richard Benaud, who captured 52 wickets at an average of 18.38.
Furthermore, in the grand tapestry of Test cricket history, Jasprit Bumrah stands as a solitary figure: he is the only bowler to have taken more than 200 career Test wickets while maintaining an astounding average of under 20.
Following his brilliant spell in Ahmedabad, Bumrah’s overall career statistics now proudly display 222 wickets from just 49 Test matches, at an exceptional average of 19.74.
The match, held at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium, was a testament to Bumrah’s pinpoint accuracy and strategic bowling. His vital three-wicket haul was instrumental in dismantling the West Indies batting line-up and showcased his consistent mastery when playing in front of a home crowd.
This latest record-breaking performance further burnishes Bumrah’s already illustrious Test career. His remarkable ability to deliver consistently high-quality performances, both at home and on the international stage, truly underscores his position as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.