Jasprit Bumrah rises to the top of Test bowling rankings after BGT 2024-25 1st Test

Team India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah rose to the top of ICC men's Test bowling rankings after his exploits in the first Test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 (BGT). This is the third time Bumrah has reached the pinnacle of the Test bowling rankings.

The 30-year-old was at the centre of action in the first Test. He was the stand-in skipper, filling in for Rohit Sharma, who was on a paternal leave. Bumrah was handed an uphill task after Team India were bowled out for 150 in the first innings of the Perth Test.

He was the leading figure with the ball, returning with figures of 5/30 in 18 overs, dismissing Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steven Smith, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins. Australia were bowled out for 104, handing India a lead of 46 runs.

The Men in Blue, riding on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's centuries, set Australia a 534-run target. Bumrah rocked the hosts' chase early on, dismissing Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply. On Day 4, Bumrah picked up the wicket of Travis Head and finished with match figures of 8/72 as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

For his efforts, Bumrah was named the Player of the Match. Subsequently, he reclaimed the top spot in the bowler's Test rankings. He had also taken the spot earlier this year after picking up a nine-wicket haul against England and later against Bangladesh before Kagiso Rabada replaced him. He has also reached his career-best rating of 883.

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Team India gear up for 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test with a practice game

Team India will play a practice game against Australian Prime Ministers XI at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, before the second Test in Adelaide. The two-day practice game, starting on November 30, will feature skipper Rohit Sharma, who joined the team in Perth on Sunday, November 24.

The second Test in Adelaide will be a day-night, pink-ball affair. Team India will hope to win their first day-night Test away from home.

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