Jasprit Bumrah sets record as fastest bowler to 50 Test wickets in India

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his already remarkable career on the opening day of the first Test match against the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 2. With just 1747 deliveries, the Indian pace leader became the fastest bowler in India to take 50 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled.

Bumrah earned the milestone by using an unplayable yorker in typical fashion to clear up Johann Layne. As India bowled out the West Indies for just 162 in 44.1 overs, he finished with bowling figures of 3/42, having dismissed Justin Greaves and John Campbell earlier in the innings.

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Bumrah also became the fastest Indian pacer to reach 50 Test wickets at home, achieving the milestone in just 24 innings, a record he now shares with Javagal Srinath, though Srinath required more deliveries to do so. Close behind are Kapil Dev (25 innings), Ishant Sharma (27 innings), and Mohammed Shami (27 innings).

Bumrah is statistically unique among the 30 bowlers in India who have taken at least 50 Test wickets. He has the highest average of all, at 17. Former Australian leg-spinner Richard Benaud, who took 52 wickets at 18.38, is the only other bowler with more than 50 Test wickets in India with an average below 20.