New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah, India’s primary fast bowler, delivered a cryptic message following his resurgence from a phase plagued by injuries, marking his achievement as the first Indian pacer to secure the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. Within hours of reaching this significant milestone, Bumrah took to Instagram to express his disappointment regarding the narrative that unfolded during his struggles with injuries. Prior to his hiatus due to a back injury, Bumrah’s exceptional performance in July 2022, leading India against England and clinching the Player of the Series award with 23 wickets in 5 Tests, served as a testament to his remarkable skills.

Despite being sidelined due to subsequent injuries, Jasprit Bumrah missed pivotal events such as the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Border Gavaskar Trophy, IPL, and the World Test Championship Final in 2023. This led to him undergoing back surgery in March of that year. Undeterred, Bumrah’s resilience and dedication bore fruit with a remarkable comeback. He not only captained India in the 3-match T20I series against Ireland in August 2023 but also emerged as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023. His excellence extended to Test cricket during the 2-match series against South Africa, where he was honored as the Player of the Series, marking a memorable return after a 17-month hiatus from red-ball cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah’s elevation to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowling rankings is attributed to his exceptional showing in the second Test against England in Vizag. In that match, he secured match figures of 9/91, earning him the prestigious Player of the Match award. This noteworthy accomplishment surpasses his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, propelling Bumrah to claim the No. 1 spot and making him the first fast bowler from India to achieve this feat. Despite facing criticism and skepticism during his injury-ridden phase, Bumrah’s unwavering resilience and determination have firmly established him as one of the premier fast bowlers globally.