Jasprit Bumrah Ends 2024 With Another Five-Wicket Haul, Goes Past Anil Kumble to Achieve Another Record

Jasprit Bumrah ended 2024 with his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India bowled out Australia for 234 on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.

Nathan Lyon was Bumrah's latest victim. Having frustrated the Indian bowlers in the final session of the penultimate day of the Melbourne Test, the Australian off-spinner was cleaned up by Bumrah, who returned with impressive figures of 5 for 57 from 24.4 overs.

With this, Bumrah finished the year 2024 with 71 wickets, the fifteenth highest for a bowler in a calendar year, and the fifth best among Indians in Test cricket in a single year. Ravichandran Ashwin (72 in 2016), Anil Kumble (74 in 2005) and Kapil Dev (74 in 1979 & 75 in 1983) have finished above Bumrah.

During the fourth day, right-arm seamer Bumrah surpassed legendary leg-spinner Kumble to become the second-highest wicket-taker from Asia in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) conditions.

Kumble had 141 wickets, and the 31-year-old Bumrah now has 143 wickets, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker from Asia in SENA conditions. He is now only behind Pakistan's Wasim Akram, who has 146 wickets in these conditions.

Bumrah also went past Kumble's record for the most wickets at an away venue by an Indian bowler. Kumble had 20 wickets in five innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while Bumrah now has 24 wickets in just three matches at the MCG, at an average of 15.26, including one five-wicket haul.

Continuing his red-hot form in the ongoing series, Bumrah increased his total wicket tally to 30 at an average of 13.24, with three five-wicket hauls to his name. Bumrah also completed his 200th Test wicket in the match, becoming the fastest Indian player to achieve the milestone.

He also became the first-ever player to take 200 Test wickets with an average below 20, surpassing West Indies legends Joel Garner, Curtly Ambrose, and Fred Trueman in terms of bowling average.

The 31-year-old broke multiple records on Sunday (December 29), becoming the fastest Indian to pick up 200 Test wickets after bowling 8484 balls. Overall, he became the fourth-fastest bowler to scalp 200 Test wickets, after Waqar Younis, Dale Steyn, and Kagiso Rabada.

Younis holds the record, having taken 200 Test wickets in just 7725 balls. Steyn reached the milestone in 7848 balls, while Rabada achieved it in 8153 balls.

Bumrah also overtook legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev on Sunday (December 29), becoming the Indian bowler with the most international wickets against Australia in Australia.

In 21 matches in Australia, Bumrah has taken 76 wickets at an average of 19.74, with best figures of 6/33 and three five-wicket hauls. In contrast, Kapil Dev took 72 wickets in 31 international matches against Australia at an average of 25.44, with best figures of 8/106 and five five-wicket hauls in Australia.