New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah has dominated the headlines both on and off the field during the ongoing tour of Australia. The Indian pacer superstar has been the talk of the town Down Under with conversations in the Australian media circle focusing on how Australian batters can tackle the world number one fast bowler.
Bumrah led from the front in the opening Test in Perth and produced a match-winning performance to give India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Bumrah’s dominance in Perth: A match-winning performance
Captaining the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Bumrah effortlessly performed the leadership and bowling duties at the Optus Stadium, leaving the Australian players shellshocked. The ace speedster picked up eight wickets including a five-wicket haul in the first innings as his Player of the Match display helped India bounce back in style from a damaging 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand.
Following his sensational bowling spell in Perth, Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the Test rankings. Now ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, Bumrah not only has the opportunity to consolidate his numero uno ranking but also achieve a remarkable feat by surpassing the legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram.
Can Bumrah overtake Wasim Akram?
If Bumrah can replicate his eight-wicket-haul in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, he will overtake Akram, the best left-arm pacer of all time, in an elusive list of Asian bowlers.
The Indian magician is just seven wickets away from equalling and eight scalps away from setting the record for most wickets in winning causes in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries among Asian bowlers. With 63 wickets at an astonishing average of 15.46, Bumrah is currently second on the list behind Akram, who bagged 70 wickets in winning causes in SENA countries.
Pakistan duo of Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed are third and fourth respectively while iconic Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan rounds the top five. Legendary Indian spinner Erapalli Prasanna, former Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan and Mohammed Siraj are the next three players with 38, 35 and 35 wickets respectively.
The second Test between Australia and India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 6, Friday at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia vs India: The upcoming Adelaide Test presents a great opportunity for Jasprit Bumrah to achieve a remarkable feat and further cement his status as a cricketing legend. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
