Vizag, In a landmark achievement for Indian cricket, Jasprit Bumrah has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings, marking the first occasion an Indian fast bowler has achieved this feat. His exceptional performance of 9 wickets for 91 runs against England in the second Test has propelled him past his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who now ranks third. The historic event underscores India’s dominance in cricket, with Bumrah’s rise highlighting a significant moment in the sport’s history.
According to International Cricket Council, Bumrah’s remarkable match figures came during India’s 106-run victory over England in Vizag, helping to equalize the series. This achievement not only signifies Bumrah’s first ascent to the top spot but also marks him as the first Indian quick to claim the No. 1 ranking in Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been at the forefront of the rankings since last March, fell to third place following a modest performance in the same match, securing only three wickets.
Bumrah is now the fourth Indian player, and notably the first fast bowler from the country, to lead the Test bowling rankings, joining the esteemed company of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bishan Bedi. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal, another Indian player, made significant strides in the ICC rankings, leaping 37 places to 29th among Test batters, thanks to his double century in the first innings of the Vizag Test against England.
The latest ICC rankings have also seen movements in other categories, with Australia’s Steve Smith reclaiming second place in the Test batting rankings, and Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya and Asitha Fernando making jumps in the bowling rankings following their performances against Afghanistan. In the ODI rankings, significant shifts were observed following Australia’s series against the West Indies, with Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott making notable advancements in their respective categories.
This achievement not only celebrates Bumrah’s individual excellence but also highlights the depth and talent within Indian cricket, setting a new benchmark for fast bowlers in the country and across the cricketing world.