Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant spell on the opening day of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The fast bowler took a five-wicket haul which not only helped India bowl South Africa out early on day one, but also created a rare record. He broke a 17-year record for dismissing at least five batters on the opening day of a red-ball Test match played in India.
The record was previously held by South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who produced the milestone performance in Ahmedabad in 2008. In the years that followed, no fast bowler was able to repeat it on the opening day of a red-ball Test in India.
Bumrah conceded only 27 runs in the 14 overs he bowled for his five-for.
Ishant Sharma also took five wickets in 2019 in Kolkata, but that game was played with a pink ball. This five-wicket haul is also the 16th of Bumrah’s Test career. The Indian pace-bowling spearhead now stands only behind Ravichandran Ashwin (37), Anil Kumble (35), Harbhajan Singh (25), and Kapil Dev (23). With another masterful spell, Bumrah has taken his tally to 231 wickets in Test cricket, moving past Mohammed Shami, who has 229 Test scalps to his name.
Bumrah first dismissed Ryan Rickelton, who scored 23 runs. The 31-year-old then sent back Aiden Markram (31), who was caught behind by Rishabh Pant. Tony de Zorzi (24) became his next victim. Bumrah dismissed Simon Harmer (5) and Keshav Maharaj (0) in the 55th over to complete his five-for in Kolkata. South Africa posted a total of 159 runs in 55 overs. In reply, India finished the day on 37/1, trailing by 122 runs
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