In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian cricket, Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the annals of the sport by becoming the first Indian fast bowler to claim the coveted No. 1 spot in the ICC’s Test bowlers’ rankings. Surpassing his teammate R Ashwin, Bumrah’s ascent to the pinnacle of Test bowling rankings marks a historic moment for the country’s cricketing legacy.
The historic milestone attained by Bumrah eclipses the previous best ranking held by the legendary Kapil Dev, who had secured the No. 2 position on the retrospective Test bowlers’ table during the 1979-80 season. Additionally, Zaheer Khan had briefly occupied the No. 3 spot in October-November 2010, showcasing India’s sporadic presence among the elite ranks of Test bowling.
Jasprit Bumrah’s meteoric rise to the top spot follows a stellar performance in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, where he exhibited exceptional prowess with the ball. His match-winning haul of 9 for 91 not only earned him the Player of the Match accolade but also propelled India to level the series 1-1. Displaying masterful control and lethal precision, Bumrah’s spell of two-way reverse swing left the English batting lineup in disarray, claiming crucial wickets including that of Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
Asserting his dominance further in the series, Bumrah emerged as the leading wicket-taker with a remarkable tally of 15 strikes at an astonishing average of 10.67. His stellar contributions have not only solidified India’s bowling prowess but have also underscored his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in contemporary cricket.
Meanwhile, India’s rising batting star Yashasvi Jaiswal also made significant strides in the Test rankings, ascending 37 places to No. 29 following a scintillating innings of 209 in Visakhapatnam. His exceptional performance mirrored the emergence of young talent in Indian cricket, signaling a promising future for the team.
With Bumrah’s historic feat reverberating across the cricketing world, the Indian cricket fraternity celebrates yet another milestone in its illustrious journey, while the fast bowler’s achievement serves as an inspiration for generations to come.