In a thrilling Super-8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in history by becoming the leading Indian wicket-taker in T20 World Cup annals. The seasoned pacer dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup with a mesmerizing spell of 4 overs for 15 runs and 3 crucial wickets, propelling his tournament tally to an unprecedented 33 scalps.
Bumrah’s remarkable journey spans from 2016 to 2026 across 22 matches, surpassing the long-standing record held by Ravichandran Ashwin. The former spinner had claimed 32 wickets in 24 games between 2012 and 2022. Close on the heels, Arshdeep Singh matched Ashwin’s mark with 32 wickets in 18 outings, while Hardik Pandya sits with 29 wickets from 29 matches since 2016. Ravindra Jadeja trails with 22 wickets in 30 appearances.
South Africa, electing to bat after winning the toss, started shakily, slumping to 20/3. Dewald Brevis and David Miller staged a gritty recovery with a 97-run stand off 40 balls for the fourth wicket. Brevis fell for 45 off 39 balls, featuring six boundaries, before Miller unleashed fury, smashing 63 off 35 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes alongside Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 44 off 24.
The Proteas posted 187/7, setting India a stern chase. Bumrah led the bowling charge with his three-fer, supported by Arshdeep’s two wickets, and single strikes from Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube. This performance not only broke records but underscored Bumrah’s dominance in the shortest format on the grandest stage, leaving fans and experts buzzing about India’s bowling prowess heading into the knockout phases.