Jasprit Bumrah vs Brett Lee: A Comparison After 50 Tests
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as one of modern cricket’s most consistent performers across all formats. The Ahmedabad-born fast bowler made his international debut for India in January 2016 during the tour of Australia, delivering impressive performances from the outset.
Bumrah took 2 for 40 on his ODI debut in Sydney and followed it with 3 for 23 in his T20I debut in Adelaide. Initially regarded as a white-ball specialist, few believed he could replicate that success in the longer format. However, his Test debut in South Africa in January 2018 silenced his critics and marked the beginning of a remarkable red-ball journey. Despite a few injury setbacks, Bumrah’s progress has been steady and impactful.
Milestone Achievement
In October 2025, Bumrah reached a major milestone when he featured in his 50th Test match against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. His numbers at this stage place him among the most successful modern fast bowlers.
Statistical Comparison
- Jasprit Bumrah: 226 wickets in 50 Tests at an average of 19.83.
- 74 wickets in 17 Tests against England at an average of 22.89.
- 64 wickets in 12 Tests against Australia at an average of 17.15.
- 38 wickets in 8 Tests against South Africa at an average of 20.76.
- Brett Lee: 197 wickets in his first 50 Tests at an average of 31.48.
- 46 wickets in 9 Tests against West Indies, averaging 22.71.
- 42 wickets in 13 Tests against England, averaging 44.00.
“The fast bowler proved all his critics wrong by making an impactful Test debut in South Africa in January 2018.”
Summary
Through consistent performances and impressive statistics, Bumrah’s rise in Test cricket after 50 matches stands as one of the most remarkable success stories among modern pace bowlers.
Author’s summary: Bumrah’s early dominance and rapid adaptation in Test cricket set him apart from most fast bowlers, outshining Brett Lee’s record at the same career stage.