Jasprit Bumrah reached another milestone on day one of the opening Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad on 2 October (Thursday). The Indian pace ace became the fastest bowler to take 50 Test wickets at home by balls bowled, reaching the landmark in just 1,747 deliveries. For comparison, Mohammed Shami needed 2,267 balls to achieve the same feat.

The record was sealed in trademark Bumrah fashion, as he sent down a searing yorker to dismiss Johann Layne. During his spell, he also claimed the wickets of John Campbell and Justin Greaves, completing his haul at 3/42. His bowling was instrumental in bundling out the opposition for 162 in 44.1 overs.

Bumrah also holds the distinction of being the quickest Indian pacer to claim 50 Test wickets at home in terms of innings, doing so in just 24. He has now equalled Javagal Srinath’s record, although Srinath reached the milestone after bowling more deliveries. Following them on the list are Kapil Dev, who took 25 innings, Ishant Sharma and Shami, who needed 27 innings each.

Out of the 30 bowlers who have taken 50 or more Test wickets on Indian soil, Jasprit Bumrah leads the pack statistically. His average of 17 is unmatched, making him the most effective of the lot. The only other bowler with over 50 wickets in India and an average under 20 is Australia’s legendary leg-spinner Richard Benaud, who picked up 52 wickets at 18.38.

Bumrah’s achievements look even more remarkable when viewed across his entire career. He remains the only bowler in Test history to claim more than 200 wickets at an average below 20. After his spell in Ahmedabad, the right-arm pacer has taken his tally to 222 wickets in 49 Test matches, maintaining an outstanding bowling average of 19.74.