Jasprit Bumrah breaks Waqar Younis’ record to enter elite list during BGT 2024-25

Ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah had a breakthrough campaign in 2024 across formats. The speedster has found himself in the elite list of fast bowlers following his 30 wickets in four Tests of the ongoing five-game Test series Down Under. The 30-year-old has now found himself at the top of the chart for the best average among pacers with the most wickets in a calendar year across formats.

The Indian vice-captain now has a better average than former Pakistan great Waqar Younis, who bagged 96 wickets in 28 matches in 1990 at an average of 14.88 and strike rate of 29.6.

In 2024, Bumrah picked up 86 wickets in 21 games at an average of 13.76 and a strike rate of 26.9. The top five list also features Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who bagged 88 wickets in 30 fixtures in 2015 at an average of 21.04 and strike rate of 33.5.

Others in the top 10 list are Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn (twice), Waqar Younis (thrice), Allan Donald, and Pat Cummins.

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"The series might have been more one-sided" - Glenn McGrath on Jasprit Bumrah's role in BGT 2024-25 series

Former Australia pacer has lauded Jasprit Bumrah's excellent bowling display in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He reckoned that Bumrah's 30 wickets made a big difference for the tourists in the five-game series. He recently told the reporters at a cancer awareness event (via Hindustan Times):

"He has been a massive part of the Indian team, and without him, the series might have been more one-sided, and what he does is special."

"Bumrah to me is class, there's no doubt about it. He's unique. He has an action you wouldn't teach a young guy, but he's found a way to adapt it, and he's just absolutely incredible. The way he powers in those last few steps, powers through the crease. You know, he's got a little bit of hyperextension, which I used to have as well, and, you know, he's coping with that. And he's just got incredible control both ways," he added.

As far as Tests are concerned, Jasprit Bumrah has 71 scalps in 13 Tests in 2024. He remains critical to India's chances of leveling the five-game series 2-2 after being 2-1 behind ahead of the fifth Test in Sydney.