With the three-match ODI series against England, the Indian team has also kickstarted its preparations for the 2027 World Cup. The first ODI played at Edgbaston marked the return of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to Team India’s playing XI after a long hiatus; his previous ODI appearance had been in the 2023 World Cup final. Making an impressive comeback, Bumrah conceded just 31 runs in his nine-over spell and claimed a wicket. In doing so, he not only completed 150 ODI wickets but also became only the third bowler in international cricket to take 150 or more wickets in both Tests and ODIs, alongside over 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.
Jasprit Bumrah is regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers across all three formats, and facing him has proven to be a daunting task for batters under any conditions. He has now joined an elite club alongside New Zealand’s Tim Southee and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan. Bumrah has 234 Test wickets and 150 ODI wickets to his name, in addition to 121 wickets in T20 Internationals. He is also part of the exclusive list of bowlers who have taken 100 or more wickets in all three formats of international cricket—a club comprising only five bowlers to date.
The second match of the three-match ODI series between India and England is scheduled for July 16 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. While the Indian team will aim to secure an unassailable lead in the series, all eyes will also be on Bumrah’s performance. Although he managed to take only one wicket in the first ODI, England’s top-order batters found it extremely difficult to face him with the new ball.
