In the electrifying atmosphere of the first T20I against South Africa in Cuttack, a quiet storm was brewing. With the dismissal of Dewald Brevis and Keshav Maharaj, Jasprit Bumrah didn’t just help India to a crushing 101-run victory—he shattered a glass ceiling that had stood firm against legends like Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Mohammad Shami. Bumrah’s achievement wasn’t just another wicket; it was a historic milestone that crowned him as the first Indian ever to join the ultra-exclusive 100-wicket club across all three international formats [[7], [9]].
Table of Contents
- The Historic Feat: Breaking Down Bumrah’s 100-Wicket Club Entry
- Why This Matters: The Significance of an All-Format Legacy
- The Global Elite: Who Else is in This Rarefied Air?
- Bumrah’s Format-by-Format Dominance: A Statistical Masterclass
- The Road Ahead for India’s Bowling Spearhead
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Historic Feat: Breaking Down Jasprit Bumrah 100 Wickets
Before Bumrah’s heroics in Cuttack, no Indian bowler had managed to cross the 100-wicket mark in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This isn’t for lack of talent—India has produced a long line of world-class bowlers. However, the modern game’s demands, coupled with the distinct skills required for each format, make this a truly Herculean task .
Bumrah’s journey to this landmark is a testament to his unique skill set. His pinpoint yorkers in T20s, his relentless accuracy in ODIs, and his ability to extract life from any pitch in Test cricket have made him a complete bowler for the modern era. His achievement in the T20I against South Africa was the final piece of the puzzle, cementing his status as a generational talent .
Why This Matters: The Significance of an All-Format Legacy
In today’s cricket, specialization is common. Many bowlers excel in one or two formats but struggle to adapt to the third. Bumrah’s feat proves his extraordinary versatility and durability. He isn’t just a T20 specialist or a Test match maestro; he is the rare bowler who can switch gears seamlessly and dominate in any condition, against any opposition.
This milestone isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a landmark for Indian cricket. It underscores the nation’s evolution into a powerhouse that can produce not just batsmen, but world-beating, all-format bowlers. For aspiring cricketers in India, Bumrah has set a new benchmark, a new dream to chase.
The Global Elite: Who Else is in This Rarefied Air?
Bumrah’s entry into the 100-wicket club makes him only the fifth bowler in the history of the game to achieve this remarkable consistency across all three formats [[13], [26]]. The exclusive list includes some of the most feared names in bowling:
- Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): The original master of the slower ball and yorker.
- Tim Southee (New Zealand): A swing bowler with immense heart and longevity.
- Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The premier all-rounder of his generation.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): A left-arm speedster with a lethal inswinger.
Bumrah now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with these legends, and his name is etched alongside theirs in the annals of cricketing greats. It’s worth noting that Lasith Malinga was the pioneer, the first to breach this landmark, setting the standard for future generations .
Bumrah’s Format-by-Format Dominance: A Statistical Masterclass
The numbers behind Bumrah’s achievement are staggering and paint a picture of a bowler at the absolute peak of his powers.
| Format | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 157+ (as of Aug 2024) | ~21.80 | 6/27 |
| ODI | 130+ | ~22.00 | 6/19 |
| T20I | 100+ | ~19.00 | 3/11 |
His Test average, hovering around a phenomenal 21.80, is a testament to his ability to deliver in the purest form of the game . In ODIs, his economy and wicket-taking ability make him a constant threat, while in T20Is, his death-bowling is often the difference between victory and defeat. His overall international wicket tally is well past the 400-mark, a figure that speaks volumes about his relentless consistency .
The Road Ahead for India’s Bowling Spearhead
At just 31 years old (as of 2025), Bumrah is far from finished. With the next few years packed with major ICC events, including World Cups across formats, his role as India’s bowling spearhead will only grow more critical. His fitness, always a topic of discussion, will be paramount, but his current form suggests he’s ready for the long haul.
For fans and fantasy cricket managers alike, Bumrah’s reliability across all conditions makes him a non-negotiable asset. His ability to perform in overseas conditions, a traditional weakness for many Indian pace bowlers, has already been proven time and again. You can read more about India’s overseas Test triumphs, a journey Bumrah has been central to, in our detailed analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-overseas-test-series].
Conclusion
Jasprit Bumrah’s achievement of becoming the first Indian to 100 wickets in all three formats is more than just a record; it’s a defining moment for modern Indian cricket. It showcases the arrival of a bowler who is not just a product of his time but a master of it. In a world where the game is constantly evolving, Bumrah has proven that true greatness lies in the ability to adapt, dominate, and rewrite history—all of which he has done with unparalleled skill and composure.
Sources
- Times of India: Not Kapil, Shami or Zaheer: Bumrah becomes first Indian ever to achieve this feat
- ESPN Cricinfo (for global context and player statistics): https://www.espncricinfo.com