On June 22, 2025, at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, Jasprit Bumrah etched his name into cricketing history by equaling the legendary Kapil Dev’s record for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in away Test matches. With a sensational spell of 5/83 against England, Bumrah secured his 12th fifer on foreign soil, achieving the milestone in just 34 Tests compared to Kapil’s 66. This remarkable feat not only underscores Bumrah’s dominance as a fast bowler but also cements his legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers. His performance, marked by raw pace, precision, and resilience, has sparked debates about whether he surpasses even Kapil Dev, with former India coach Ravi Shastri boldly comparing him to West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall.
This article delves into Bumrah’s historic achievement, his journey, the significance of his record, and his impact on Indian cricket. It also compares his stats with Kapil Dev’s and highlights his unique ability to thrive in challenging overseas conditions, particularly in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries.
Bumrah’s Headingley Heroics
The first Test of India’s 2025 tour of England saw Bumrah deliver a masterclass in fast bowling. Despite India’s fielders dropping three catches—Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook—and a no-ball denying him an early wicket, Bumrah remained unfazed. His figures of 5/83 in 24.4 overs included the scalps of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Josh Tongue. This fifer not only restricted England to 465, giving India a slender six-run lead, but also marked several milestones:
Equaling Kapil Dev’s Record: Bumrah’s 12th five-wicket haul in away Tests matched Kapil’s long-standing record.
First Asian to 150 SENA Wickets: He became the first Asian bowler to claim 150 Test wickets in SENA countries.
Most WTC Fifers by a Pacer: His 11th five-wicket haul in the World Test Championship (WTC) surpassed Pat Cummins’ 10, making him the leading pace bowler in WTC history.
Bumrah’s ability to deliver under pressure, despite limited support from India’s other pacers, highlighted his role as the team’s spearhead. His gesture of gifting the match ball to his son Angad touched fans’ hearts, adding a personal dimension to his professional triumph.
The Significance of the Record
Equaling Kapil Dev’s record is no small feat. Kapil, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain, was a trailblazer for Indian fast bowling, taking 434 Test wickets in 131 matches. His 12 away fifers came over a 16-year career, often on pitches less conducive to pace bowling. Bumrah, in contrast, has reached the same milestone in half the matches, showcasing his efficiency and adaptability.
Bumrah’s 12 away fifers include four in Australia, three each in England and South Africa, and two in the West Indies. Only two of his 14 career fifers have come on Indian soil, underlining his prowess in overseas conditions. His third fifer in England also saw him surpass Kapil, Lala Amarnath, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ishant Sharma, who each had two fifers in the country.
The record gains further weight when viewed in the context of SENA nations, where conditions favor pace and bounce. Bumrah’s 10 fifers in SENA countries make him the first Indian to reach this mark, with only two more needed to overtake Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (11 SENA fifers).
Bumrah vs. Kapil: A Statistical Comparison
To understand Bumrah’s achievement, let’s compare his stats with Kapil Dev’s in away Tests:
Metric | Jasprit Bumrah | Kapil Dev |
|---|---|---|
Away Tests Played | 34 | 66 |
Away Wickets | 150+ (SENA only) | 219 |
Five-Wicket Hauls (Away) | 12 | 12 |
Innings per Fifer (Away) | 64 | 108 |
Average (Away) | ~22 (estimated) | 30.24 |
Strike Rate (Away) | ~48 (estimated) | 63.6 |
Bumrah’s efficiency is striking. He has taken fewer innings (64 vs. 108) to match Kapil’s 12 fifers, with a better average and strike rate. While Kapil’s longevity and all-round contributions remain unmatched, Bumrah’s ability to dominate in an era of flat pitches and advanced batting techniques sets him apart.
Bumrah’s Journey: Defying the Odds
Bumrah’s rise to cricketing stardom is a story of self-belief and resilience. Critics once predicted his unconventional action would limit his career to six months due to injury risks. Yet, as he approaches a decade in international cricket, Bumrah has silenced doubters with consistent performances across formats.
Debuting in 2018, Bumrah quickly established himself as India’s go-to bowler. His slinging action, late release, and ability to generate pace and movement have made him a nightmare for batters. Since 2024, he has taken 78 wickets in Tests, including 32 in Australia’s 2024-25 series, where he smashed several records.
Bumrah’s mental fortitude is equally impressive. In the Headingley Test, he brushed off dropped catches and a no-ball, focusing on his process. “You can’t sit and cry about it,” he said in the post-match press conference, reflecting his pragmatic approach. His faith in divine timing—“I’ll play till God wants”—adds depth to his character, resonating with fans.
Impact on Indian Cricket
Bumrah’s success has redefined India’s pace bowling legacy. Historically reliant on spinners like Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin, India now boasts a world-class pace attack, with Bumrah at its helm. His ability to win matches overseas has shifted the narrative, making India a formidable force in SENA nations.
His influence extends beyond stats. Young pacers like Prasidh Krishna, who took 3/128 in the Headingley Test, draw inspiration from Bumrah’s work ethic and precision. His leadership, evident during India’s 2024-25 Australia tour, has also earned praise from Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri.
Bumrah’s Headingley fifer, combined with India’s batting firepower—centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant—signals India’s ambition to dominate world cricket. Despite a middle-order collapse, Bumrah’s bowling ensured India stayed competitive, setting the stage for a thrilling series.
What the Experts Say
Bumrah’s Headingley performance drew widespread acclaim:
Ravi Shastri: “I played with Kapil Dev, but this guy is different. He can take any opposition apart, on any surface, in any format.” Shastri likened Bumrah to Malcolm Marshall for his ability to read and set up batters.
Sachin Tendulkar: Praised Bumrah’s bowling masterclass, recalling his prediction after Mumbai Indians’ 2019 IPL final win that Bumrah would become the world’s best bowler.
Mark Wood: England’s pacer called Bumrah the best in the world, citing his action and late swing as unplayable.
These endorsements highlight Bumrah’s global impact, with peers and legends acknowledging his greatness.
Records Broken in Headingley
Bumrah’s fifer shattered several records:
Record | Details |
|---|---|
Most Away Fifers by an Indian | 12, equaling Kapil Dev (34 Tests vs. 66 Tests). |
Most Fifers in England by an Indian | 3, surpassing Kapil, Lala Amarnath, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ishant Sharma. |
First Asian with 150 SENA Wickets | Achieved in the Headingley Test. |
Most WTC Fifers by a Pacer | 11, overtaking Pat Cummins’ 10. |
Joint-Most WTC Fifers Overall | 11, equaling Ravichandran Ashwin. |
These milestones underscore Bumrah’s ability to rewrite history with every spell.
The Road Ahead
With two more SENA fifers, Bumrah can surpass Wasim Akram’s 11, further solidifying his status among Asia’s greatest bowlers. At 31, he has several years to add to his tally, provided he manages his workload and stays injury-free. His goal, as he stated, is to “take the Indian team to new heights,” a mission he’s already advancing.
The ongoing England series offers more opportunities for Bumrah to shine. With India’s batting lineup firing and a young pace attack learning from him, the team is poised for success. Fans eagerly await whether Bumrah can break Kapil’s record outright, a prospect that seems inevitable given his form.
Final Words
Jasprit Bumrah’s 12th away fifer at Headingley is a testament to his skill, resilience, and belief. Equaling Kapil Dev’s record in half the matches, becoming the first Asian to 150 SENA wickets, and leading the WTC fifer charts as a pacer, Bumrah has redefined what’s possible for Indian fast bowling. His journey from a doubted debutant to a global icon inspires millions, while his on-field exploits continue to elevate India’s cricketing stature. As Ravi Shastri aptly put it, Bumrah is “not far behind” the likes of Malcolm Marshall, a statement that captures his extraordinary talent. The cricketing world watches in awe, wondering how many more records this modern maestro will shatter.
