Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in cricketing history with remarkable achievements on January 1, 2025. Maintaining his position at the pinnacle of the ICC Test Bowler Rankings, Bumrah also set a new benchmark by achieving the highest-ever rating points (907) by an Indian bowler. This surpasses the previous joint-high of 904 held by Bumrah himself and Ravichandran Ashwin. His current rating places him 17th on the all-time list alongside England’s Derek Underwood, trailing legendary names like Sydney Barnes (932) and George Lohmann (931).
Bumrah’s outstanding performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 30 wickets in just four matches, played a significant role in this milestone. Despite his personal brilliance, India has struggled in the series, losing two of the four matches. Bumrah's efforts have been instrumental, even if the team’s overall results have not reflected his dominance.
Fastest Indian Pacer to 200 Test Wickets
During the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to 200 Test wickets, achieving the feat in his 44th match. He surpassed Kapil Dev’s record, who had reached the milestone in 50 Tests in 1983. Among Indian bowlers overall, Bumrah now shares the second-fastest record with Ravindra Jadeja, behind Ravichandran Ashwin, who reached 200 wickets in 37 Tests.
Globally, Bumrah also ranks fourth-fastest to 200 Test wickets by balls bowled, achieving the feat in just 8,484 deliveries. This places him behind Waqar Younis (7,725), Dale Steyn (7,848), and Kagiso Rabada (8,153). Moreover, Bumrah’s average of 19.56 for his 200 wickets is the best among all bowlers at the time of reaching this milestone.
Breaking Kapil Dev’s Record in Australia
Bumrah’s dominance extended further as he broke Kapil Dev’s record for the most wickets by an Indian pacer in a bilateral Test series on Australian soil. His consistent ability to trouble Australian batters, including dismissing Travis Head—currently the series’ leading run-scorer—underscores his extraordinary form.
Recognition and Legacy
Bumrah’s achievements make him a strong contender for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year awards. At 31, he continues to set unparalleled records, cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.
