Jasprit Bumrah breaks 39-year-old record, becomes highest wicket-taker on debut

Bumrah eclipsed a 39-year-old record to become the highest wicket-taker by an Indian on debut in a calendar year with 45 wickets and counting.

Australia were skittled for 151 in their first innings on day three of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday with Jasprit Bumrah’s six for 33 orchestrating the hosts’ downfall.

3rd Test, India vs Australia: FULL SCORECARD

Jasprit Bumrah is the first bowler from the subcontinent to take a five-for in South Africa, England and Australia in the same year! #AUSvIND #AusvsInd

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 28, 2018

In his Test debut year, the 25-year-old pacer now has registered five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England and now, in Australia to become the first Asian bowler to take a five-for in each of the aforementioned countries in a calendar year.

Bumrah also eclipsed a 39-year-old record to become the highest wicket-taker by an Indian on debut in a calendar year with 45 wickets and counting.

Dilip Doshi had owned the record in 1970 when he picked 40 wickets in his debut Test year. Venkatesh Prasad (achieved the feat in 1996) and Narendra Hirwani (achieved the feat in 1988) occupy the third and fourth place with 37 and 36 wickets respectively.

Bumrah now also tops the all-time list for the most Test wickets in debut year. Former Australia pacer Terry Alderman (achieved the feat in 1981) and West Indies pace legend Curtly Ambrose (achieved the feat in 1988) are second in the list with 42 wickets.

Most Test wickets in debut year
45 – Jasprit Bumrah (2018)
42 – Terry Alderman (1981) & Curtly Ambrose (1988)#AusvInd#AusvsInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 28, 2018

Indian bowlers with most Test wickets on debut in a calendar year

45: Jasprit Bumrah (2018) *

40: Dileep Doshi (1979)

37: Venkatest Prasad (1996)

36 Narendra Hirwani (1988)

Bumrah, who has been in phenomenal form this year across all formats, surpassed Doshi’s record, after taking three wickets on day three. He used the short ball to good effect and dismissed opener Marcus Harris for 22. He then returned to see the back of Shaun Marsh on the last ball before lunch with a beautiful slower yorker.

Travis Head was then cleaned up a 142kmph ripper, this one swung back in late leaving Head beaten for pace.

Australia captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins were involved in a reargued effort, but Bumrah returned to break the 36-run partnership after he drew Paine with a good length delivering angling in towards off only for the batsman to edge it behind to Rishabh Pant.

Bumrah then set up Nathan Lyon, who was left flummoxed with a mixture of pace and bounce. He followed his bouncer with a full rocket that trapped Nathan Lyon, who departed for a duck. Bumrah wrapped up Australia’s innings with the wicket of Josh Hazlewood, who was cleaned up for a duck to complete a fine bowling performance.