Jasprit Bumrah Becomes Sixth Indian Fast-Bowler To Reach 200 Test Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s fast-bowling spearhead, has cemented his place in history by becoming the sixth Indian fast bowler to take 200 wickets in men’s Test cricket. Playing in his 44th Test match, Bumrah reached the landmark during the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia. He dismissed Travis Head for just one, with the Australian batter flicking the ball to mid-wicket, and Bumrah raised both arms in the air to celebrate the achievement.

Bumrah’s milestone is particularly remarkable for his exceptional bowling average. At the time of reaching 200 wickets, his average stands at an outstanding 19.56. This makes him the fastest bowler to reach 200 wickets with the best average in Test cricket history, surpassing former West Indies pacer Joel Garner, who reached the same mark with an average of 20.34.

Bumrah’s achievement also places him among the fastest Indian bowlers to achieve the 200-wicket milestone. He is now tied with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the second-fastest Indian to reach this landmark. The title of the fastest Indian bowler to take 200 wickets belongs to Ravichandran Ashwin, who reached the milestone in just 37 innings.

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In terms of Indian fast bowlers, Bumrah is the fastest to reach the mark, with the legendary Kapil Dev being the next best, achieving 200 wickets in his 50th Test match. Bumrah’s remarkable pace is also reflected in his overall standing, as he joins a select list of bowlers who have reached 200 wickets quickly.

Bumrah Among The Quickest In Test History

While Bumrah’s 44 Tests may seem like a relatively short time, it puts him in elite company. He is the fourth-quickest bowler in Test history to reach 200 wickets in terms of balls bowled, having sent down 8,484 deliveries. The only bowlers to reach the mark faster are Pakistan’s Waqar Younis (7,725 balls), South Africa’s Dale Steyn (7,848 balls), and Kagiso Rabada (8,153 balls). Bumrah’s precision and consistency have made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in modern cricket.

Bumrah’s achievement didn’t end with his 200th wicket. Shortly after reaching the milestone, he dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in his next 10 deliveries, breaking the back of Australia’s batting line-up in their second innings. Bumrah’s relentless pace and skill played a crucial role in keeping the pressure on the Australian batsmen during a key phase of the match.

Praise From Cricket Legends

Following Bumrah’s historic achievement, former India head coach Ravi Shastri took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to express his admiration, saying, “200 sticks at 19.56. Unreal. What a bowler. Mind-boggling stuff. Well done Boom Boom.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also praised Bumrah, commenting, “The Greatest of all time is doing what he does best here at the ‘G’ .. @Jaspritbumrah93 is incredible ..”

As Bumrah continues to shine on the international stage, his 200-wicket milestone adds another remarkable chapter to his already legendary career. Known for his deadly yorkers, sharp bouncers, and ability to perform under pressure, Bumrah has proven to be one of India’s most lethal bowlers in modern Test cricket.

With his record-breaking pace and accuracy, Bumrah has established himself as one of the most consistent fast bowlers in the world, and it seems only a matter of time before he climbs even further up the ranks in the history of Test cricket.