It always felt like a matter of time. Jasprit Bumrah arrived in world cricket through the T20 doorway, a format tailor-made for his awkward angles, late swing and pinpoint accuracy. Over the years, though, he has morphed into something far bigger. He is India’s all-format spearhead and now the only Indian bowler with 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
On Tuesday in Cuttack, Bumrah ticked off the last remaining box, his hundred, becoming the second Indian to do so after Arshdeep Singh. And the moment he reached the milestone, Arshdeep made sure to enjoy it. The left-arm pacer strolled up to Bumrah with a grin and delivered a perfectly timed one-liner, sounding every bit the senior statesman for once: “Welcome to the 100-wicket club, mate.“
The exchange, narrated by Arshdeep after the match, had Ravi Shastri in splits on commentary. “It feels great that Bumrah joined the 100-wicket club too today, so I congratulated him and welcomed him to the club with a smile,” Arshdeep said. “Bowling alongside him is always fun. When every bowler contributes, it makes life so much easier for the captain.” The duo of Bumrah and Arshdeep is perhaps one of the best in T20Is currently, with the pacers also playing a huge part in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.
India decimate South Africa in Cuttack
Bumrah’s milestone wicket came in the 11th over, when he out-thought Dewald Brevis with a clever change of pace. It was a fitting reward after several near misses in his opening spells. However, that wicket was slightly controversial, as Bumrah might’ve overstepped on that occasion. The third umpire was quick to check the replay and instantly gave it ‘out’ without rolling back different angles. Arshdeep had already set the tone earlier, striking twice with deliveries that kicked off the surface.
The pitch at Barabati Stadium behaved nothing like a typical T20 deck. It had spongy bounce, seam movement and reward for anyone who hit the deck hard. India’s quicks relished it. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel chipped in, and South Africa folded for 74, their lowest T20I total.
India’s 175 suddenly looked like plenty. Hardik Pandya won the player of the match award for his batting masterclass, hammering an unbeaten 59 off 28.
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