Bumrah Creates History as India Crushes South Africa by 101 Runs

Key Points:

• Bumrah claimed his 101st T20I wicket, joining an elite group of only five bowlers worldwide with 100-plus wickets across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• India posted 175/6 with Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 59, then bowled out South Africa for just 74 runs.
• The 31-year-old pacer is the second Indian after Arshdeep Singh to reach 100 T20I wickets, but the first to achieve the triple-format century.
• India leads the five-match T20 series 1-0 with the second match scheduled in Gwalior.

Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in cricket’s record books during the series opener at Barabati Stadium, becoming India’s first bowler to complete a century of wickets in every international format. The achievement came when he dismissed South African batsman Dewald Brevis with his second delivery of the 11th over, a moment that triggered celebrations across the cricket fraternity. Bumrah’s milestone wicket was caught by skipper Suryakumar Yadav at cover point, capping a remarkable journey that began with his international debut nearly a decade ago.

Match Turnaround: From Brevis Breakthrough to Series Lead

The match unfolded as a masterclass in Indian bowling dominance after Hardik Pandya’s late-order batting heroics. Batting first, India struggled initially but recovered through Pandya’s explosive 59 not out off just 35 balls, pushing the total to a competitive 175/6. The reply saw South Africa crumble under Bumrah’s opening spell and sustained pressure from the spinners. Bumrah struck twice in that pivotal 11th over, removing Brevis for 22 and then Keshav Maharaj for a duck on the fifth ball, effectively dismantling South Africa’s middle order.

Triple-Format Century: A Feat for the Ages

Since his ODI debut against Australia in Sydney on January 23, 2016, Bumrah has transformed into India’s most reliable strike bowler across all conditions. His statistics reflect consistent excellence, 234 wickets in 52 Tests with 16 five-wicket hauls, 149 wickets in 89 ODIs, and now 101 wickets in 81 T20I matches. The T20I milestone places him second in India’s all-time T20I wicket-takers list, behind Arshdeep Singh’s 107 wickets, but uniquely positions him as the only Indian in the triple-format century club.

Most wickets for India in T20Is

Global Elite: Five Bowlers, One Exclusive Club

Bumrah’s entry into the triple-format century club places him alongside four modern legends of the game. New Zealand’s Tim Southee leads with 391 Test wickets, 221 ODI wickets, and 164 T20I wickets. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has 246 Test wickets, 317 ODI wickets, and 149 T20I wickets. Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga, the original T20 specialist, finished with 101 Test wickets, 338 ODI wickets, and 107 T20I wickets. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi completes the group with 121 Test wickets, 135 ODI wickets, and 126 T20I wickets.

Players with 100 wickets in all three formats

Series Momentum and Road Ahead

The comprehensive victory gives India crucial momentum in the five-match series, with the second T20I shifting to Gwalior. Bumrah’s form provides captain Suryakumar Yadav with a lethal weapon, particularly given the pacer’s ability to deliver in powerplay and death overs. South Africa, meanwhile, must address their batting collapse, having lost their last eight wickets for just 32 runs after Brevis’s dismissal. The visitors’ inability to handle India’s varied bowling attack, which combined pace, spin, and tactical variations, exposed significant gaps in their middle-order resilience.