Key Points
- Jasprit Bumrah becomes the fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 Test wickets in England during the current India-England series.
- Bumrah achieved the milestone by dismissing Jamie Smith in the fourth Test, at just his 11th England Test.
- He’s now just one wicket behind Ishant Sharma’s Indian record of 51 wickets in England, and four behind Wasim Akram’s all-time Asian record (53 wickets).
- Bumrah could become not only India’s most successful bowler in England, but also the top Asian wicket-taker in England’s Test history.
- Current top Indian wicket-takers in England include Ishant Sharma (51), Kapil Dev (43), Mohammed Shami (42), and Anil Kumble (36).
New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah added another golden chapter to his Test career, becoming the first Indian fast bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests against England, on English soil. He reached the historic mark on Day 2 of the fourth Test, removing England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith for just 9.
This milestone makes Bumrah the quickest Indian to achieve this feat in just his 11th Test in England a testament to his consistency and his reputation as the world’s No.1 ranked Test bowler.
Chasing Indian and Asian Records
Bumrah’s next personal target: overtake Ishant Sharma’s Indian record of 51 wickets in England. Ishant reached the mark in 15 Tests Bumrah could leapfrog that total in just 12 if he takes 2 more wickets in the ongoing match at The Oval.
He’s also closing in on a mammoth Asian landmark. Pakistan’s Wasim Akram leads the Asian wicket-takers’ chart in England with 53 wickets from 14 Tests. If Bumrah can grab four more wickets, he will emerge as the most prolific Asian Test bowler on English turf, surpassing both Ishant (51) and Akram (53).
Most Test Wickets for India in England (All Matches)
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishant Sharma | 15 | 51 | 7/74 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 12 | 50 | 5/64 |
| Kapil Dev | 13 | 43 | 5/125 |
| Mohammed Shami | 14 | 42 | 4/57 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 | 36 | 6/70 |
Top Asian Test Wicket-Takers in England
| Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 14 | 53 | 6/67 |
| Ishant Sharma | India | 15 | 51 | 7/74 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 12 | 50 | 5/64 |
| Mohammad Amir | Pakistan | 12 | 49 | 6/84 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 6 | 48 | 9/65 |
On the Brink of More History
Bumrah’s near-unmatched strike rate and versatility in English conditions have redefined the role of Indian seamers overseas. With a few more wickets, he stands to not only break Indian records but also become the most decorated Asian fast bowler in England’s Test history.
All eyes are now on Bumrah as India look to seal the series and he looks to etch his name at the very top among legends. Stay tuned for more updates from The Oval!
