Jasprit Bumrah has become the Asian pacer to take most five wickets against SENA countries

Team India’s fast bowling leader Jasprit Bumrah destroyed South Africa’s batting lineup by taking five wickets on the first day of the first Test (Friday, November 14) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Following his bowling performance, Bumrah overtook former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram in a rare list of bowlers.

South Africa was out for only 159 runs on the first day. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added 57 runs in the first 10 overs, but once India took the lead, the visitors struggled to recover and kept losing wickets regularly. Markram was the top scorer with 31 off 48, which included five fours and a six.

South Africa was out for just 159 runs on the opening day of the first test.

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed openers Ryan Rickelton (23) and Aiden Markram (31) on unexpected balls in the morning session. After this, before the lunch break, Kuldeep Yadav increased the pressure by dismissing captain Temba Bavuma for just 3 runs.

Bumrah, returning for the second spell, dismissed Tony De Zorzi for 24 runs. The right-arm pacer also dismissed Simon Harmer for 5 and bowled a brilliant yorker to bowl Keshav Maharaj for a duck to complete an impressive five-wicket haul.

Only Rickelton, Markram, Wiaan Mulder and De Zorzi contributed in the 20s. Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verrein were the only other batsmen to reach double figures, while Bavuma and four others were out cheaply. India were firmly in control after South Africa’s first innings.

Jasprit Bumrah took his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah destabilized South Africa’s batting lineup with pace, sharp angles and deceptive bounce. The batsmen struggled throughout his spell and decided to play him out rather than take risks.

Bumrah finished with an economy rate of just 1.90 in three spells, which included five maiden overs. The 31-year-old took his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, the second highest among Indian fast bowlers after Kapil Dev (23).

Among all Indian bowlers, only Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Kapil Dev have more five-wicket hauls. This was Bumrah’s fourth five-wicket haul against South Africa, leaving him behind Dale Steyn (5) and Ashwin (5) in Tests between the two countries.

Jasprit Bumrah becomes Asian fast bowler taking most five wickets against Army countries

Bumrah registered his name in the record books by becoming the Asian fast bowler who took the most five wickets against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries in Test cricket history.

Bumrah achieved the feat of taking his 13th five-wicket haul in just 80 innings. He left behind Wasim Akram, who had scored 12 in 75 innings, and Kapil Dev, who had scored 11 in 111 innings.

Also read: Kuldeep Yadav out of IND vs SA second test, personal reason cited