Jasprit Bumrah will hold the key for India as they chase a series-levelling win in the second Test against South Africa. The visitors stunned India by 30 runs in a low-scoring series opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where off-spinner Simon Harmer outplayed Indian spin attack on the turning surface. The match was over within three days, and the hosts had much to ponder between now and the second Test.
Bumrah was the star of Day 1, capturing 5-27 off 14 overs to bowl out South Africa for 159. After amassing a small 30-run advantage at 189, India struggled to restore territory and South Africa dug in during their second innings thanks to an unbeaten 55 from captain Temba Bavuma. Bumrah stuck to a tight line once more, ending with 1-24 from 10 overs, but India’s batsmen fell over again while chasing down a modest 124.
Bumrah has now played 51 Tests in his career. As India prepare for the must-win second Test in Guwahati, his performance will be under the spotlight. With the pressure on, comparisons are being drawn between Bumrah’s numbers and those of legendary South African fast bowler Allan Donald at the same stage of their careers.
1. Jasprit Bumrah vs Allan Donald – Who does better in 51 Tests wicket and average wise?
Bumrah has taken 232 wickets at an average of 19.54 having featured in 51 Tests. The right-arm pacer has received 64 wickets in 12 Tests against Australia with an average of 17.15. He has played 17 Tests against England with 74 Scalps and 44 wickets against South Africa with 19.09 against South Africa and 22.89 against England.
It had taken 51 Tests but Donald had accumulated 254 wickets at an average of 21.93. In 13 Tests against England in that stage he had made 64 of his scalps at an average of 24.37. He also had collected 50 wickets in nine Tests with India with an average of 17.08 and 48 scalps with Australia with an average of 27.85.
2. Jasprit Bumrah vs Allan Donald – Which of the two has more five-fers in 51 Tests?
Bumrah has taken 16 fivers in 51 Tests. This was the highest figures of 6-27 which he registered against West Indies in August 2019 at Kingston. In Melbourne in December 2018 and Visakhapatnam in February 2024, the right-arm pacer also won 6-33 and 6-45 respectively against Australia and England respectively. Five of his five-fers have been against England, four against Australia and four against South Africa.
Having taken 51 Tests, Donald had 16 five-fers and 2 10-wicket match hauls in the books. The highest figures at that time were 8-71 which he attained against Zimbabwe in Harare in October 1995. In India he also secured 7-84 in Gqeberha in December of 1992 and 6-59 in Melbourne in December 1997. Among his five-fers at that point six were against England and three against India.
3. Jasprit Bumrah vs Allan Donald – Who has more winning record in 51 Tests?
Bumrah has also been a part of 22 Tests that India has won. He has won causes with a total of 117 wickets at an average of 14.85 including nine five-fers. He has 91 wickets at the average of 26.24 and five five-fers in 24 Tests that India has lost. The Indian pacer has also taken two five-fers in the drawn Tests.
Among his 51 Tests Donald had been involved in 22 matches that South Africa won. He had recorded 134 winning cause wickets at a rate of 16.69, ten five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls. Three of his five-fers were in Test matches whereby South Africa lost and as many as were drawn matches.
4. Jasprit Bumrah vs Allan Donald- Who is the better away player with 51 Tests?
Jasprit Bumrah has appeared in 35 away Tests where he has taken 172 wickets with an average of 20, and 13 five-fers. He has taken 60 wickets in 15 home Tests with an average of 16.68 and three five-fers. The Indian bowler star has also played one neutral Test where he became wicketless.
Among his initial 51 Tests, Donald had 23 matches outside the country. He had 121 wickets in away conditions at an average of 21.80 and eight five-fer and one 10-wicket match haul. Donald scored 133 scalps, an average of 22.05 in 28 home Tests, eight five-fers and 10-wicket haul.
