ICC Rankings: Bumrah Breaks Records, Becomes India’s Highest-Ranked Test Bowler

Jasprit Bumrah delivered a sensational performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking 30 wickets in the series so far. His dominant display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where he claimed nine wickets, propelled him to the top spot in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings.With a rating of 907, Bumrah surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin’s career-best rating of 904 (achieved in 2016), making him the highest-ranked Indian bowler in Test cricket history. Bumrah now holds the 17th spot on the all-time ICC rankings list, tied with England’s Derek Underwood.

The Indian pacer is also closing in on another milestone. Ahead of the fifth and final Test in Sydney, he is just six wickets away from breaking the record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a Test series.

Bumrah, shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award, finished 2024 with 71 Test wickets at an exceptional average of 14.92.

Australia’s Pat Cummins also saw a significant boost in the ICC rankings after the Boxing Day Test. His six wickets and a crucial 90-run contribution with the bat elevated him to third in the bowling rankings and improved his position in the all-rounder standings.

India and Australia are set to clash on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a pivotal match that could determine the finalists for the World Test Championship.