Jasprit Bumrah's top 5 Test spells in SENA countries. Top five Test bowling spells by Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah, is an indomitable force, a contemporary virtuoso whose skill with the ball has made conventional challenges look easy. In his first Test, he claimed the Proteas legend AB de Villiers as his first victim while clinching four wickets overall. The 30-year-old paceman stands as the only India bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in South Africa, Australia, England, and West Indies on his debut tour.
Bumrah also holds the distinction of becoming the fastest India pacer to reach 100 wickets outside Asia, in just 18 Test matches. With his third five-wicket haul in South Africa, he matches Javagal Srinath for the most Test fifers by an India bowler.Â
Let’s have a look at some of the most clinical performances by the unorthodox pacer in the SENA countries.
6-61 vs South Africa, Capetown, January 2024
In the second innings of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town, India pacer Jasprit Bumrah showcased some brilliant character. After claiming a solitary wicket on Day 1, Bumrah showcased his excellence by completing a six-wicket haul on Thursday, as the hosts were bundled out for 176 in the second innings.
The proceedings on Day 2 began with Aiden Markram and David Bedingham, but Bumrah quickly made his impact by dismissing Bedingham for 11, reducing South Africa to 66/4. Subsequently, he accounted for Verreynne, who fell to a fielder while attempting a pull shot. Marco Jansen briefly resisted with two fours before being caught and bowled by Bumrah, who secured his fifer after Keshav Maharaj's drive resulted in an outside edge. He concluded by dismissing Lungi Ngidi.
This performance marked his third five-wicket haul in South Africa, equaling Javagal Srinath for the most Test fifers by an India bowler in the nation. Among active India players, Mohammed Shami boasts two fifers in South Africa.
Read More: Where are 140 kph+ bowlers in the domestic scene who can win India Tests in SENA nations?
6-33 vs Australia, MCG, December 2018
In the wake of a harsh defeat in Perth, the Virat Kohli-led Team India sought redemption at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2018, aiming to take the lead in their four-match series against Australia. The India batters batted resolutely for almost two days, compiling a commanding 443-7 declared. The top gun, Jasprit Bumrah, then unleashed havoc on Australia's fatigued batting order in his 15.5-over spell on Day 3, restricting them to 292 runs behind India's first-innings total.
It was a stellar display of Bumrah's brilliance, as the right-hand pacer dismissed Marcus Harris and Australia skipper Tim Paine, while delivering a ball of the century to dismiss Shaun Marsh, reducing Australia to 92-5 by lunch. The speedster returned to clean up the Australian tail, concluding with then career-best figures of 6-33. This outstanding performance led to India's triumphant 137-run series-leading victory in the 'Boxing Day' Test match.
5-42 vs South Africa, Cape Town, January 2022
In the decisive match of their three-game series against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2022, the Mumbai Indians pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, set the tone for India early on. Within the opening hour of the innings, he ensured India's dominance by dismissing both South Africa openers, including the in-form Dean Elgar. The seasoned fast bowler showcased his skill by dismissing South Africa's only half-centurion of the day, Keegan Petersen, with an outstanding delivery, contributing to India's valuable 13-run first innings lead.
Bumrah concluded with impressive figures of 5-42 from his 23.3 overs, leading to his second five-wicket haul in South Africa. However, despite some brilliance in bowling by Bumrah, both he and the Indian team faced disappointment as the Proteas convincingly achieved a series-winning run-chase on the fourth afternoon.
5-54 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, January 2018
In a quest to avoid a series whitewash in South Africa, the India team faced a challenging start at the Wanderers Stadium, being bundled out for a mere 187 on the opening day of their inconsequential third Test match. Despite India's seemingly modest total, Jasprit Bumrah played a major role in restricting South Africa's first innings lead to a mere seven runs, securing five of the final six wickets on Day 2.
Bumrah's excellence shone as he dismissed Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock in a fierce spell, also accounting for the formidable Hashim Amla, concluding with figures of 5-54 from 18.5 overs. In the second innings, he added two more wickets, leading to India's emphatic 63-run triumph at Johannesburg. This victory marked India's only third Test win on South African soil, salvaging some pride in the series.
5-64 vs England, Nottingham, August 2021
In his second Test outing in England in August 2021, Bumrah ignited India's five-match series against the hosts by delivering a sensational nine-wicket performance. Initially, the speedster dismantled the English line-up with figures of 4-46 on Day 1, propelling India to a significant 95-run first-innings lead.
Bumrah's impact at Trent Bridge extended beyond the initial display, as the right-arm paceman claimed five more English victims in the second innings. Partnering with Mohammed Siraj in sharing the new ball, the esteemed fast bowler dismissed Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, and centurion Joe Root, and later accounted for Sam Curran and Stuart Broad, amassing impressive figures of 5-64 from 19 overs.