India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowler rankings, overtaking Ravichandran Ashwin. Bumrah’s rise to the No. 1 position comes after a standout performance in India’s 2-match Test series against Bangladesh in October 2024.
Bumrah bowled 49 overs across both matches, taking 11 wickets, the highest in the series alongside Ashwin. However, Bumrah’s remarkable bowling average of 12.82 set him apart from the veteran spinner. His ability to consistently trouble the Bangladeshi batsmen earned him the top spot in the global rankings.
This is not the first time Bumrah has held the title of No. 1 Test bowler. He initially achieved the top position in February 2024, during India’s series against England, again by displacing Ashwin. At that time, Bumrah became the first Indian pacer to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. Prior to Bumrah, Kapil Dev had been the highest-ranked Indian pacer, reaching the second position between December 1979 and February 1980. Zaheer Khan also made it to the No. 3 position in October-November 2010.
Despite Bumrah’s ascent, Ashwin also had an impressive series. The spinner took 11 wickets and scored a century, showing his all-round ability. Ashwin remains only one point behind Bumrah in the rankings and is likely to provide fierce competition in the coming months. India is set to face New Zealand at home and will play Australia in the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Wwhich could see further shifts in the rankings.
Bumrah has been in exceptional form this year, leading the wicket-taking charts in Test cricket. Since the start of 2024, he has taken 38 wickets with a strike rate of 14.42. He shares the top spot for most wickets with Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, although Jayasuriya’s strike rate is notably higher.
After the series against Bangladesh, Bumrah reflected on India’s long Test season ahead, expressing his eagerness to participate in all the upcoming matches. India’s next challenges include a 3-Test series against New Zealand, followed by the flagship 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
