Jasprit Bumrah scripts a record-breaking spell at Headingley

The sight of Jasprit Bumrah handling the cherry is by far the best scene for an Indian cricket fan to witness in the current set-up. In a game commanded by a team, Bumrah has etched his stature as a sole match-winner. His performance across the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy came up as the most solid proof of Bumrah's exploits. Now, as a new India squad tests its fate in England with Bumrah as one of the most experienced players in the group, it's the pacer starring again. The pace spearhead extended India's standing in Leeds, the lone one to do it from India's bowling camp on Day 2 of the India vs England match. Coming in to bowl on the dead surface of Headingley, Bumrah scalped three wickets while the rest of the Indian pace attack looked toothless.

Jasprit Bumrah becomes the highest-wicket taking Asian in SENA countries

On a slow, lifeless surface at Headingley, Jasprit Bumrah once again stood tall, removing Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root on Day 2 of the first India vs England Test to underline his class. His second scalp of the day, Ben Duckett, came during the final session, marking yet another personal milestone for the fast bowler, one that stands out in an already illustrious career. With the scenic dismissal of the English opener, Bumrah completed147 wickets in SENA countries across just 60 innings. The feat sees him surpass legendary Pakistan quick Wasim Akram in the tally of most wickets taken by an Asian bowler in SENA conditions.

The seasoner speedster rounded off the day by dismissing Joe Root, completing 148 Test wickets in SENA conditions. Moreover, the dismissal at Headingley marked Root falling victim to Bumrah for the tenth time in his Test career. Meanwhile, Bumrah now leads the list of highest wicket-taking Asian in SENA, overtaking Akram (146), followed by Anil Kumble (141), Ishant Sharma (130), and Mohammed Shami (123). At 31, Bumrah has outshone every other bowler on either side in this Test, extracting movement and threat from a pitch that has otherwise offered very little assistance to fast bowlers.

Earlier in the second session of Day 2, Jasprit Bumrah made an early breakthrough by removing Zak Crawley (4) in his first over. The English opener was caught completely off guard and could only offer a simple edge to Karun Nair stationed at slip. Duckett, on the other hand, had settled in nicely and was playing with confidence, appearing in full control and reading the ball like a seasoned pro. But despite his two-hour-long resistance, even he couldn't escape Bumrah’s precision. The breakthrough came in the final session when Bumrah clean-bowled Duckett for 62.