Jasprit Bumrah: India's Greatest Modern Pace Bowler
A complete guide to Jasprit Bumrah — India's most feared fast bowler, the No. 1 ranked Test bowler in the world, 150+ Test wickets at under 20, and a yorker specialist whose unusual action makes him virtually impossible to copy.
Jasprit Bumrah is the No. 1 ranked Test bowler in the world and India's greatest modern pace bowler. He delivers at 140-148 km/h from an unconventional, chest-on action that generates late movement and extreme bounce, making him virtually unplayable in all conditions. He has taken over 175 Test wickets at an average under 21 — exceptional for an Indian pace bowler — and has match-winning performances in England, Australia, South Africa, and at home. His yorker is considered the finest in modern international cricket.
Unconventional Action and Its Advantages
Born on 6 December 1993 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Bumrah developed his unusual action at a young age — a chest-on, short run-up approach that looks nothing like a classical fast bowler but generates extreme late movement. His back foot lands wider of the crease than a standard bowler, changing the angle of release significantly; his wrist position at release is difficult for batsmen to read. Because his action is unique — effectively impossible to imitate in nets — batsmen rarely face anything like it in preparation.
Test Wickets in All Conditions
Bumrah has taken wickets in every country he has toured. His ability to perform in England — where the Dukes ball swings and batsmen are comfortable at home — was proved in 2021 and 2022, where he was consistently India's most dangerous bowler. In Australia, he extracted pace and bounce; in South Africa, he generated exceptional carry. At home he uses reverse swing at pace. His average of under 21 across all formats of Test cricket is the best of any active Indian pace bowler.
Career Statistics
| Format | Mat | Wkts | Avg | Best | 5-fors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 40+ | 180+ | 20.5 | 6/27 | 10+ |
| ODIs | 87+ | 149+ | 23.5 | 6/19 | 4 |
| T20Is | 60+ | 89+ | 18.0 | 3/11 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action so unusual?
Bumrah uses a chest-on, wide-crease delivery action with a short, stuttering run-up that looks nothing like a classical fast bowler. His back foot lands wider than standard, changing the angle of release, and his wrist position is difficult to read. Because his action is essentially unique, batsmen cannot face anything similar in practice, making preparation difficult.
What is Jasprit Bumrah's best bowling performance?
Bumrah's best Test figures are 6/27 against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2022 — one of the most devastating pace performances in Test cricket history on any surface. He also took 6/19 in an ODI against Australia in 2019. In Tests, his 2024 home series saw him take 31 wickets in 5 matches.
How many Test wickets does Jasprit Bumrah have?
Jasprit Bumrah has taken over 180 Test wickets at an average under 21 — the best of any active Indian pace bowler. He is ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test bowling rankings and is the frontline pace bowler for India in all conditions across all three formats.