New Delhi: Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah added another feather to his cap on Friday by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the Test format in 2024. Bumrah achieved the feat by dismissing New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 5 in the first session of play on the third day of the Test match in Bengaluru.
Bumrah claimed his 39th wicket in the red-ball format, getting to the landmark in his 15th Test innings. With this, he surpassed teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who has 38 wickets to his name in the longest format in this year. He joined the elite league of bowlers featuring names like Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir and Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya.
Most Test wickets taken in 2024
| Bowler | Wickets |
| Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | 39* |
| Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 38* |
| Gus Atkinson (ENG) | 38 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) | 38 |
| Shoaib Bashir (ENG) | 38 |
Kiwis on top
After bowling out India for a paltry score of 46 in the first innings on Thursday, New Zealand dominated the proceedings right from the beginning of the second day. At lunch on the third day, the Kiwis had reached 345/7 in 41 overs, with a big lead of 299 runs. After Ashwin got rid of Devon Conway on 91, Rachin Ravindra showcased his batting prowess scoring a sensational century to put New Zealand in command.
Ravindra was batting on 104, accompanied by the seasoned Tim Southee (49) who contributed in the devastation, when lunch was called on the third day. The Black Caps would aim at maximising their efforts and capitalising on opportunity in the forthcoming session of play. For India, Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin, Siraj and Bumrah picked one wicket apiece.
For India, getting back into this match looks quite difficult from here as the hosts have been pushed against the wall by the visitors. More than a superior effort in batting is the only thing that can save them.
