The Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has become the fastest bowler to take 200 wickets in Test cricket. The pacer on Day 4 of the Melbourne Test achieved this milestone against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He took four wickets in the first innings and took four wickets in the second innings of Australia. On Day 4 of the Test, he took crucial wickets of Sam Konstas (8), Travis Head (1), Mitchell Marsh (0), and Alex Carey (2), giving away just 28 runs. He touched this milestone after dismissing Head, who is the leading run scorer in the ongoing series, smashing back-to-back hundreds in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests.
Bumrah has become the first Indian to take 200 wickets in 8484 deliveries, surpassing Mohammed Shami, who achieved this milestone in 9896 deliveries. In overall records, he stands at the fourth spot of the bowlers to reach 200 wickets, behind Waqar Younis, Dale Steyn, and Kagiso Rabada.
Bowlers to reach 200 wickets in fewer balls
1. Waqar Younis - 7725 deliveries
2. Dale Steyn - 7848 deliveries
3. Kagiso Rabada - 8154 deliveries
4. Jasprit Bumrah - 8484* deliveries
5. Malcolm Marshall - 9234 deliveries
Bumrah made his Test debut in 2018 and reached this milestone in his 44th Test, becoming the joint second-fastest to 200 wickets with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He has a bowling average of 19.56, which is the finest by any bowler. Ravichandran Ashwin still stands at the top spot as the fastest Indian to pick 200 wickets in just 37 Tests in September 2016 and announced his retirement after the Brisbane Test.