Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian speedster to be ranked No.1 in Tests

Jasprit has become the first Indian fast bowler to reach the pinnacle of Test bowlers’ rankings. Bumrah, who moved up three places to displace his counterpart R.Ashwin at number 1. Prior to this, Bumrah’s highest ranking had been number 3. 

This previous best ranking achieved by an Indian quick was Number 2 by Kapul Dev from December 1979 to February 1980. Besides Bumrah, Zaheer Khan has also occupied the Number 3 spot, in October-November 2010. 

Bumrah’s ascension to the top was mostly due to his heroics against England in the Vishakhapatnam Test. He finished the second test with impressive match figures of 9/91. His deadly spell earned him the Player of the Match award. Out of the nine wickets he took, six came in the first innings, where he secured his tenth five-fer 

He put India in a commanding position with a clinical display of fast bowling. He put India on the front foot with a spell of two-way reverse swing, getting Joe Root to edge to slip before cleaning Ollie Pope with an unplayable toe crushing yorker. He then removed Johnny Bairstow and Ben Stokes to hand India a 143 run first innings lead. 

Bumrah followed the impressive show in the first innings with another three key scalps. With Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley threatening to keep England in the hunt, Bumrah broke the partnership with a slower off cutter. 

Bumrah is presently the top wicket taker this series, with 15 wickets at 10.67. He picked up six wickets in the inaugural test in Hyderabad. 

Kane Williamson continues to stay at the number 1 spot among test batters, having scored 118 and 109 in the opening test against South Africa in Mount Maunganui.