India's talismanic fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah shattered a major record of Pakistan's Wasim Akram during the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Bumrah was back to his best as he took a five-wicket haul on Day 1 of the fixture after the Proteas had opted to bat first.
Bumrah made his ball talk as he displayed his class with a lengthy first spell. He took two quick wickets and chipped in another one before coming to wrap the tail with the final two wickets in an over as the hosts bowled the Proteas out for 159.
Bumrah has now shattered a major Akram record with his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This was Bumrah's 13th fifer against SENA teams (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), the most by an Asian fast-bowler against the SENA teams.
Most Test 5-wicket haul by an Asian fast bowler against SENA teams:
13* - Jasprit Bumrah (80 Inns)
12 - Wasim Akram (75 Inns)
11 - Kapil Dev (111 Inns)
9 - Waqar Younis (74 Inns)
8 - Imran Khan (61 Inns)
8 - Zaheer Khan (102 Inns)
8 - Shoaib Akhtar (36 Inns)
South Africa had opted to bat first. India went with four spinners for the first time since 2012 as they fielded Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav in the team for the opener in Kolkata.
"We will have a bat. The boys just came back from Pakistan. I was with the A team. From a preparation point of view, we've done as best as we can. It's not every day you get to play against 50,000-60,000 people in the stands. So, I'm looking forward to the challenge. Being back in India, it's always an eye-opener. Looking forward to everything. It's been sitting well at the moment (on being the World Test Champions). Hopefully, nothing really changes. For the performance point of view, work around with a lot more pride. But to keep doing what we've been doing. (On the pitch) It's on the dry side. Not much grass. It's a typical Indian wicket. First innings runs is the key. Rabada misses out due to a rib injury, Corbin Bosch comes in his place," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said at the toss.
"(On losing yet another toss) I think the only toss that I'm going to win is hopefully in the WTC finals. Yeah. Looks like a good surface. Hopefully, we'll get some movement early, hopefully we're able to extract that. Dressing room is pretty amazing. This Test bunch is very hungry and is always determined to perform every time we come out.These two test matches for us are very crucial and we're as hungry as ever. Looks like a good surface. It's going to be a good surface for the first day or a couple of days. And then, hopefully, we'll get some turn as the game goes on. Rishabh comes back in place of Reddy since we last played. And Axar is also back in the side," India skipper Shubman Gill said.
