Stats: Most wickets in away Tests since the start of the inaugural World Test Championship

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s gun fast bowler has not only become the team’s most reliable quick in the limited-overs setup but also in the longest format of the game now. Making his debut first in the ODI format, Jasprit also made a mark in the purest format of the game after emerging as a formidable force in ODIs & T20Is. Notably, Bumrah is India’s fastest pacer to reach 100 wickets in Test cricket, achieving the feat in 24 games.

Speaking of Boom-Boom Bumrah’s Test matches credentials, he is topping the list for most scalps (48) in away/neutral Tests since the start of the innagural World Test Championship cycle back in August 2019. After showcasing his skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in limited-overs format for India, Jasprit finally got his chance to make his name in the Tests when he made his debut against South Africa in early 2018. Sitting 9th on the table for taking the most number of wickets (52) in Tests since the start of the WTC cycle in 2019, Bumrah has certainly become team India’s go-to bowler in Tests too now.

Fast bowlers dominate the elite list

Shaheen Shah Afridi who had a terrific T20 World Cup tournament is second on the list with 44 wickets to his name. Another pacer, who has shone extremely well in the white-ball format, starting to do damage now in cricket’s oldest format of the game. Tim Southee, Kiwis pace-attack leader now for so many years, occupies the third spot with 36 wickets. Southee would be looking to add more scalps to his tally as next up away assignment for him is the immediate Test series against India starting this Thursday (November 25).

Interestingly, Jack Leach and Dom Bess are the only two spinners in the top 10 list and both of them serve England. Jack Leach, fourth behind southee has taken 30 wickets and Dom Bess 9th  in top 10 has got 25 wickets in this period. Pat Cummins, the Australian spearhead finds himself fifth in the list with 29 wickets. Two more Indians make the cut as Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj have gotten 29 and 27 wickets with 6th and 7th spots respectively. On number 9 is the New Zealand bouncer specialist Neil Wagner with 27 scalps and the list ends with Carribean quick Shannon Gabriel who has 25 wickets.

With the fast bowlers relishing in home conditions in Tests, enjoying success in away Tests is definitely a challenging prospect as the quicks would want to continue taking wickets for their respective countries when the conditions are not so homely too.

Most wickets in away Tests since start of innaugural WTC