Jasprit Bumrah etched his name into the record books by matching the legendary Kapil Dev’s record of 12 five-wicket hauls in overseas Tests. His fiery spell of 5/83 during the first innings of the Headingley Test against England not only revived India’s chances in the match but also showcased why he’s one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket today. What makes the feat even more impressive is that Bumrah achieved this milestone in just 34 matches, while Kapil took 66 Tests to reach the same number—an indicator of Bumrah’s sheer impact and consistency, especially in foreign conditions.
This performance also made Bumrah the first Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—conditions traditionally known to challenge subcontinent bowlers. With surgical precision and unrelenting pace, Bumrah tore through England’s top and middle order, dismissing Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Josh Tongue. Despite some dropped catches and England’s sizeable 465-run total, his spell was instrumental in restricting the lead and keeping India in the contest.
As India prepares for a potential triumph at Headingley, Bumrah’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed. Former England pacer Steve Harmison called it one of the most ferocious spells he’s witnessed on English soil, dismissing theories that England’s Bazball approach could handle India’s fast-bowling attack. With Bumrah leading the charge, India is not just chasing a Test win—they’re asserting their dominance in conditions once considered their Achilles heel.
