India’s formidable pacer, Jasprit Bumrah is having a phenomenal year in 2024. One of the best bowlers in the world, he staged a great performance across the formats that saw India win the ICC trophy for the first time. But it’s within Test cricket wherein he showed off his ability.
A great start to the year with Bumrah displaying excellence throughout the Test series against England as India looked to seal a 4-1 victory. In four matches, he took 19 wickets with an average of only 16.89 and shone with a five-wicket haul.
Against Bangladesh In Chennai Test
Bumrah has taken it further and shown encouraging form in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, taking five wickets with an important four-wicket haul in the first innings. He is now taking regular crucial wickets to be almost indispensable for India.
The Rise Of Bumrah And Ashwin
Along with Bumrah, another formidable force has been Ravichandran Ashwin. While going through a grind against the struggling English side, Ashwin snatched 26 wickets at an average of 22.81. He showcased his class in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh with six wickets, helping India get out of a tight spot.
At the moment, Ashwin is at the top of the ICC Test bowler rankings with 871 points, while Bumrah trails at the second spot with 854 points.
Fight For The Top Spot
Bumrah gets his gold-lined opportunity to go past Ashwin after a perfectly great performance in Chennai. He’ll have to deliver once again at the Kanpur Test, an occasion that should prove arduous for pace bowlers with conditions said to favor spin.
Glimpses into the future will clarify overtake for Ashwin in Bumrah’s case when the India tour reaches Australia for a five-match Test series. Since the Australian pitches are friendly for fast bowlers, there is sufficient scope for Ashwin to be benched for most of the matches. Bumrah will certainly feature in all five Tests.
If Bumrah continues along this line and maintains his current rankings, he will stand every chance of taking over at the number one position in the ICC Test rankings.
