NEW DELHI: India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered a cryptic message after emerging from an injury-prone phase to become the first Indian pacer ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings.
Hours after achieving this milestone, Bumrah took to Instagram to express his disappointment at the discourse surrounding him during his injury struggles.
Before his back injury hiatus, Bumrah's stellar performance in July 2022, where he captained India against England and bagged the Player of the Series award with 23 wickets in 5 Tests, showcased his prowess.
However, subsequent injuries sidelined him from crucial events like the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Border Gavaskar Trophy, IPL, and the World Test Championship Final in 2023, leading to back surgery in March of that year.
Bumrah's determination and hard work paid off as he made a remarkable comeback, leading India in the 3-match T20I series against Ireland in August 2023, and later emerging as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023.
His stellar performances continued in whites during the 2-match Test series against South Africa, where he was named the Player of the Series, marking a memorable return to red ball cricket after a 17-month hiatus.
1/10:The meteoric rise of Jasprit Bumrah 2.0
PTI
2/10:Jasprit Bumrah
<p>Jasprit Bumrah seems to be the out of syllabus puzzle in an equal contest as the pacer has taken pitch out of the equation on his return from injury, leaving rival batters stumped and experts raving. </p>IANS
3/10:Unorthodox slinging action
<p>When the wiry pacer burst into the scene in 2015, he was touted as the next Malinga. Given his unorthodox slinging action from a short run-up which created a lot of pressure on his shoulder and back. </p>Getty Images
4/10:India in SENA countries
<p>Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri decided to use him in Tests abroad, a decision that went a long way in India becoming a feared touring teams in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. </p>Getty Images
5/10:The injury
<p>The popular notion was that a breakdown was not too far away and the inevitable did happen. Bumrah had a back stress fracture which kept him out of cricket for almost a year in 2022-23. </p>TNN
6/10:Bumrah 2.0
<p>On his return, Bumrah once again proved he is one of a kind. In four Tests he's played since his return, Bumrah's average reads 11.66! </p>IANS
7/10:Ridiculous average!
<p>Bumrah has only played six Test matches in India, but his average at home on pitches which are not conducive for pace bowling is a ridiculous 13.6. </p>PTI
8/10:The greatest ever?
<p>Compare this to other Indian greats - Kapil Dev (26.49) and Zaheer Khan (35.87) - and you know what we're talking about. </p>AFP
9/10:Incredibly special spell
<p>On a beautiful batting pitch in Vizag, the spell that Bumrah produced in the second session of second day's play was incredibly special. </p>PTI
10/10:Greatest spell of pace bowling
<p>Bumrah removed the classy Joe Root, in-form Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow and the spell was at par with some of the greatest spells of pace bowling that have been bowled in India in the last 40 years. </p>ReutersBumrah's ascent to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings is credited to his outstanding performance in the second Test against England in Vizag, where he claimed match figures of 9/91, earning him the Player of the Match award.
This achievement sees him surpass his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin to claim the No. 1 spot, making him the first fast bowler from India to achieve this feat.
Despite facing criticism and doubts during his injury phase, Bumrah's resilience and determination have solidified his position as one of the best in the world.
