India’s Jasprit Bumrah etched his name into cricketing history during the fourth day of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy test between India and Australia at the MCG. The pace maestro dismissed Travis Head for the second time in the match to achieve the rarest feat during his already record-setting year.
Jasprit Bumrah is now the only bowler in the history of test cricket to reach 200 Test wickets averaging less than 20 runs and is the fastest Indian pacer to reach the figure in terms of runs conceded, accomplishing the milestone after conceding just 3912 runs. This remarkable feat not only solidifies Bumrah’s reputation as a generational talent but also sets him apart on the global stage.
Jasprit Bumrah surpassed the legendary Joel Garner, who previously held the record for the fewest runs conceded before claiming 200 Test scalps at 4067 runs. Among Indian bowlers, the earlier record-holder was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who conceded 4840 runs to achieve the milestone.
In terms of balls bowled, Jasprit Bumrah reached the landmark in just 8484 deliveries, making him the fourth-fastest in cricket history. Only Waqar Younis (7725 balls), Dale Steyn (7848 balls), and Kagiso Rabada (8154 balls) have achieved the feat in fewer deliveries. Mohammed Shami held the previous Indian record, taking 9896 balls to reach 200 wickets.
Here’s a comparative look at the career averages of iconic bowlers who have excelled in Test cricket:
| Player Name | Nation | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 19.38 |
| Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | 20.94 |
| Joel Garner | West Indies | 20.97 |
| Curtly Ambrose | West Indies | 20.99 |
| Fred Trueman | England | 21.57 |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 21.64 |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 21.88 |
| Allan Donald | South Africa | 22.25 |
| Sir Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 22.29 |
| Vernon Philander | South Africa | 22.32 |
| Pat Cummins | Australia | 22.68 |
| Muttiah Muralidaran | Sri Lanka | 22.72 |
| Imran Khan | Pakistan | 22.81 |
Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to strike consistently and economically has single-handedly brought India back into the fourth test of the BGT. The hosts still maintain an edge after taking a considerable lead in the first innings, but with Bumrah at the helm, India still has hope of producing another miracle at the MCG.
With Bumrah now among the elite 200-wicket club, the stage is set for him to break even more records as he continues to lead India’s charge in Test cricket.
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