Indian Pacers With 50 Test Wickets in a Calendar Year: Bumrah Joins Elite Club
Jasprit Bumrah has made cricket history. He is the third Indian fast bowler to take 50 Test wickets in a calendar year. Bumrah achieved this feat by dismissing Australia’s Usman Khawaja. It was on the opening day of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test at Adelaide Oval.
The 31-year-old pacer joined the ranks of Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan. They are legendary Indian bowlers who had achieved this milestone. Bumrah’s feat fell on his birthday. It made the day a landmark in his Test career.
Elite List of Indian Pacers
Only three Indian pacers have crossed the 50-wicket mark in a calendar year. Here’s how each achieved this remarkable feat:
Kapil Dev (1979 and 1983)
Kapil Dev, India’s World Cup-winning captain, was the first Indian pacer to do this. He is the only one to do it twice. In 1979, Kapil scalped 74 wickets in 17 Tests, with an average of 22.95 and a strike rate of 48.01. Four years later, he bettered his own record, picking up 75 wickets in 18 Tests at a strike rate of 46.25.
Kapil’s unmatched consistency set the benchmark for Indian pacers. It also made him one of the greatest Test bowlers ever.
Zaheer Khan (2002)
Zaheer Khan became the second Indian pacer to achieve this milestone after a 19-year gap. In 2002, Zaheer claimed 51 wickets in 15 Tests, averaging 29 with a strike rate of 56.37.
Despite a slow start to his Test career, 2002 was a breakout year for Zaheer. He became one of India’s most reliable bowlers in all formats of the game.
Jasprit Bumrah (2024)
Jasprit Bumrah entered 2024 as one of India’s best bowlers. He lived up to those high hopes. In just 11 Tests this year, Bumrah has already taken 50 wickets at an exceptional average of 15.14 and a strike rate of 30.3.
Bumrah’s strike rate is unmatched among Indian bowlers. This year, only two bowlers in Test history have a worse average than him: Imran Khan (13.29 in 1982) and Sydney Barnes (14.14 in 1912). With two more Tests in 2024, Bumrah can surpass these legends and boost his stature.
Indian Spinners Who Achieved the Feat
Only three pacers have achieved this milestone. But, several Indian spinners have also taken over 50 wickets in a calendar year. These include legends like Anil Kumble (1999, 2004, 2006), Harbhajan Singh (2001, 2002, 2008), and Ravichandran Ashwin (2015-2017, 2021).
Bumrah’s Historic Opportunity
With two more Test matches remaining this year, Bumrah is on track to break more records. He is already a top performer in Test cricket. Surpassing bowling greats like Waqar Younis (strike rate of 29.5 in 1993) will add to his career.
Bumrah’s 2024 dominance cements him as a top modern pacer. He carries on the legacy of Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan with unmatched skill and will.
