Jasprit Bumrah created history at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on Sunday by becoming the pace bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in World Test Championship history. He achieved this feat in the ongoing Test Series against England.
By delivering a riveting performance, Bumrah has surpassed Australian captain Pat Cummins, who previously held the record with 10 five-wicket hauls, to register this new record under his name. Although he matched Ravichandran Ashwin’s record for the most five-wicket hauls in the World Test Championship, it is worth noting here that Ashwin took 11 fifers in 41 WTC matches for India, whereas Bumrah equalled that tally in just 36 games.
The fast bowler’s latest performance of 5/83 marked his 11th five-wicket haul in the World Test Championship. His exceptional performance has earned him the recognition of being the first ever Asian player to secure 150 Test wickets in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.
The pacer’s achievement in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia is particularly extraordinary as he surpassed Pakistani cricketing pioneer Wasim Akram’s record of 146 wickets. This achievement marks his entry into the Asian bowlers’ hall of fame, becoming only the third from the continent to secure 10 five-wicket hauls in Test matches in SENA countries, standing alongside giants like Lasith Malinga and Wasim Akram.
Bumrah and Ashwin lead the WTC rankings for bowlers, each securing 11 five-wicket hauls. They are closely followed by Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who both have 10 five-wicket hauls to their names. Kagiso Rabada and Prabhath Jayasuriya are tied for the third position with 8 hauls apiece.
In the current Test series, India leads the game with 60 runs after limiting England to 465, with a highly effective bowling attack where the pacers were quick to earn wickets.