Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has reached a historic milestone by achieving the joint-highest rating points ever for an Indian bowler in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings. With a stellar 9-wicket haul in the third Test against Australia at Brisbane, Bumrah consolidated his position at the top of the ICC rankings with 904 points, equaling the record set by spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in December 2016.
A Historic Feat in Test Cricket Rankings
Bumrah’s performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been nothing short of extraordinary. His devastating spells in the Brisbane Test resulted in figures of 9 for 94, which earned him 14 additional rating points. This took his total to 904, placing him 48 points clear of second-ranked Kagiso Rabada of South Africa, who currently has 856 points.
This achievement marks only the second time an Indian bowler has crossed the coveted 900-point threshold, a testament to Bumrah’s dominance in the format. The Indian speedster is also the highest wicket-taker in the series, with 21 wickets in six innings at an average of 10.90, far ahead of other bowlers.
Bumrah’s Journey to the Top
Bumrah’s climb to the summit of the ICC Test Bowling Rankings has been fueled by his adaptability and consistent performances in varying conditions. His ability to exploit the pace and bounce of Australian pitches has set him apart, making him a key figure in India’s bowling attack.
In the ongoing five-match series, Bumrah’s 21 wickets have been instrumental in keeping India competitive. His standout performances include leading the Indian team to a commanding victory in the series opener at Perth, where he stood in as captain for Rohit Sharma.
Top Bowlers in ICC Test Rankings
The latest ICC rankings as of December 25, 2024, showcase Bumrah’s dominance at the top. Here’s the current top 10 list:
- Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Rating: 904
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – Rating: 856
- Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – Rating: 852
- Pat Cummins (Australia) – Rating: 822
- Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – Rating: 789
- Matt Henry (New Zealand) – Rating: 782
- Nathan Lyon (Australia) – Rating: 770
- Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Rating: 768
- Noman Ali (Pakistan) – Rating: 759
- Ravindra Jadeja (India) – Rating: 755
The rankings highlight a mix of pace and spin, with Bumrah leading the charge for India. Ashwin remains in the top five, while Jadeja has slipped to the 10th spot following an ordinary outing in Brisbane.
Other Movements in ICC Rankings
While Bumrah has stolen the spotlight, several other players have made notable advances in the rankings:
- Travis Head climbed to fourth on the ICC Test Batting Rankings following a century in Brisbane, overtaking Yashasvi Jaiswal.
- Australia’s Steven Smith re-entered the top 10 batting rankings after scoring 101 in the Brisbane Test.
- In ODIs, South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen surged eight spots to fifth after three consecutive fifties against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam continues to dominate the ODI batting charts, with India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli occupying second and third places, respectively.
A Record Waiting to Be Broken
With the series poised at 1-1, Bumrah has an opportunity to surpass Ashwin’s record when India faces Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. His remarkable consistency, coupled with favorable conditions, makes him a strong contender to break new ground in the ICC rankings.
Final Outlook
Jasprit Bumrah’s achievement of equaling Ravichandran Ashwin’s 904 rating points is a landmark moment in Indian cricket. His stellar performances have not only solidified his position as the world’s best Test bowler but also underlined India’s dominance in the format.
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues, all eyes will be on Bumrah to see if he can rewrite history and set a new benchmark for Indian bowlers. For now, his unparalleled ability and leadership have made him the cornerstone of India’s bowling lineup.