Jasprit Bumrah’s performance in the opening Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai saw the enigmatic fast bowler achieve a significant milestone. His six wickets over the two innings made him just the sixth Indian pacer to surpass the 400 international wickets mark across all formats.
Bumrah now stands among distinguished company following Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, and Kapil Dev, who leads the list with a total of 687 international wickets. Notably Bumrah boasts the best strike rate across formats (21.01) among these bowlers.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan expressed his admiration for Bumrah’s achievement. “It’s a big achievement, but this is a bowler who still has a lot left to attain,” Zaheer remarked on Cricbuzz. “He’ll keep chasing those records because, looking at the type of bowler he is, you will have no hesitation in saying that he is the number one bowler in the world.”
Bumrah has excelled in recent months, playing a crucial role in India’s success in the T20 World Cup, particularly in the final. While he has at times appeared nearly unplayable, questions regarding his fitness remain ever-present.
Khan issued a warning regarding this element. “The hope is that he is aware of the state of his body, that he stays fit going forward and avoids injuries because of how much cricket he is bound to play; he will cross all these milestones,” Zaheer said.
With Bumrah already receiving accolades as India’s greatest fast-bowling prospect, the potential for him to surpass Kapil Dev’s record looms. Fans and teammates alike are eager for Bumrah to maintain his fitness and continue delivering performances of this caliber.
The pacer has recorded 164 and 149 wickets in Tests and ODIs, respectively, and is closing in on his century in T20Is with 89 wickets to his name.
