That Bumrah is an enigma is well known. He sets up batters with tight lines and lengths before throwing in the slower ball to break their rhythm. He gets the ball to seam in and swing away, attacking the stumps with high pace throughout his spell. Much has been spoken about his hyper-extended elbow, his release point and his unusual run-up but the bowler remains unfazed, leading the way for his team game after game.
Before the Adelaide Test, Bumrah had played 41 Tests, taking 181 wickets at an average of 20.06, already putting him among the all-time greats. No other bowler in the last 100 years has taken more wickets at a better average, with only Sydney Barnes ahead of him in the all-time list, with an average of 16.43. By the end of Australia's first innings in the day-night Test, Bumrah’s average had pummelled to 19.95, highlighting his excellence even further. 2024 has, in particular, been a fabulous year for the quick. He has played pivotal roles across formats, including helping the team to the T20 World Cup title, picking up 15 wickets at a stunning average of 8.26 at an economy rate of 4.17. His form has extended into Test cricket as well - in 11 matches, he has taken 53 scalps thus far at an average of 15.22, throwing him into a zone very few bowlers have entered before.
There have been 106 instances when bowlers have taken 50 or more wickets in a calendar year in Test cricket, but only four average 16 or lower. Imran Khan tops the list with a bowling average of 13.29 in 1982, when he scalped 62 wickets in nine games. Barnes is next on the list, taking 61 wickets at an average of 14.80 in 1912, followed by Waqar Younis, who averaged 15.23 for his 55 wickets in 1993. Bumrah is the first in 31 years to pick up more than 50 wickets and average below 16 in a year.
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