After nearly three years away from ODI cricket, Jasprit Bumrah returned as though he had never been absent. Playing his first 50-over international since India’s heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Australia on November 19, 2023, the ace pacer immediately made his presence felt against England in Birmingham.
Entrusted with the new ball by captain Shubman Gill, Bumrah troubled Ben Duckett from the very first over. He beat the left-hander’s outside edge twice and almost trapped him lbw, while consistently bowling above 140 kmph. Despite going wicketless in his opening four-over spell, Bumrah repeatedly forced false shots and maintained relentless pressure alongside Prasidh Krishna.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Duckett later counterattacked against Gurnoor Brar, but India’s persistence eventually paid off as the opener fell in the 12th over. Bumrah also showcased his fielding brilliance, taking an excellent catch at third man to dismiss Jacob Bethell.
Gill reintroduced Bumrah to break England’s middle order, and the fast bowler struck immediately. Harry Brook edged a back-of-a-length delivery to first slip, giving Bumrah his 150th ODI wicket. He became the 10th Indian pacer and the 16th Indian bowler overall to achieve the milestone.
The wicket also helped Bumrah become India’s leading ODI wicket-taker in England with 31 scalps, overtaking Ravindra Jadeja’s previous record of 30. He additionally became the third-fastest Indian to reach 150 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled, requiring only 4,605 deliveries, behind Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav.
Although he finished with just one wicket in his opening six overs, Bumrah conceded only 15 runs. While the other Indian bowlers leaked runs, Bumrah once again highlighted why he remains India’s premier white-ball pacer, combining control, pace and wicket-taking ability in a memorable return.
