Jasprit Bumrah Achieves Unique Feat On His Birthday, Joins Kapil Dev And Zaheer Khan In Elite List

With the wicket of Australia's opener Usman Khawaja, Jasprit Bumrah became the only third Indian to take 50+ wickets in Tests in a calendar year.

Adelaide:Jasprit Bumrah became the only third Indian player to take 50+ Test wickets in a calendar year. Bumrah achieved the significant feat on the opening day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval here on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Bumrah joined the elite list of former India skipper Kapil Dev and legendary pacer Zaheer Khan who have picked up over 50 Test wickets in a calendar year.

Kapil Dev holds the record for the highest number of wickets taken by Indian pacers in a single year, with an impressive total of 75 Test wickets in 1983, followed closely by 74 wickets in 1979. Zaheer Khan ranks third, having claimed 51 wickets in 2002. Jasprit Bumrah has also made a mark with 50 Test wickets, placing him among the top bowlers for the year. However, he still has a significant way to go to match Shane Warne's outstanding record of 96 wickets in a calendar year, which he achieved in 2005.

Bumrah is currently leading the all-format wickets chart in 2024, with 65 dismissals in 19 matches.

In 2024, Australia's opener Usman Khawaja became Jasprit Bumrah's 50th Test wicket. Bumrah achieved this milestone during his 11th Test of the year. Bowling with the pink ball under lights, he delivered a steep bouncer on a good length outside the off-stump. Khawaja, unable to resist the temptation, poked at the ball and edged it to Rohit Sharma at first slip.

Earlier, Bumrah led the Indian cricket team for the second time in Tests. He captained India to a historic win in the first Test against Australia of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Perth, where he finished the match with 8/72. These are also the best figures by a visiting fast-bowling captain in Test history.