Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first bowler ever to claim 200 Test wickets with an average under 20. Bumrah achieved this milestone on Day 4 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, dismissing Travis Head in the post-lunch session. The achievement solidifies Bumrah’s place among the greatest pace bowlers of all time, surpassing legends like Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, and Curtly Ambrose in terms of average.
Bumrah’s average of 19.5 stands as the best among bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets, surpassing Marshall (20.9), Garner (21.0), and Ambrose (21.0). His ability to consistently trouble batters with his precision, pace, and unique action has made him a standout performer in international cricket.
Fastest to 200 Test Wickets for India
Bumrah’s achievement comes in just his 44th Test, making him the second-fastest Indian to reach 200 Test wickets, tied with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Ravichandran Ashwin remains the quickest Indian to the milestone, having accomplished it in just 37 Tests. Globally, Bumrah is ranked 12th on the list of bowlers who have achieved this feat, with Pakistan’s Yasir Shah (33 Tests) and Australia’s Clarrie Grimmett (36 Tests) leading the chart.
Unstoppable in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Bumrah has been a dominant force in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has amassed 28 wickets, further extending his lead as the highest wicket-taker in the series. After dismissing Australia’s opener Sam Konstas (8) earlier in the innings, Bumrah reached the 200-wicket milestone by removing Travis Head for just 1 run. He quickly followed it up by dismissing Mitchell Marsh (0), caught behind the stumps by Rishabh Pant, showcasing his knack for delivering under pressure.
A Career Defined by Milestones
Bumrah’s incredible journey in Test cricket began in 2018 when he made his debut against South Africa. Since then, he has been a match-winner across conditions, excelling in both home and overseas Tests. His unique action, ability to reverse swing the ball, and a sharp bouncer have made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.
At just 30 years of age, Bumrah continues to set new benchmarks, and his recent achievement of maintaining a sub-20 average while amassing 200 wickets puts him in a league of his own. As he adds more accolades to his name, fans and cricketing experts alike eagerly await what the Indian speedster will achieve next.