India will head to Melbourne for the 4th Test against Australia with the series tied at 1-1. If they were given an opportunity to choose the scoreline before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they would have gladly accepted 1-1 before the 4th Test. The key reason India are still in the hunt for a series win is ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 21 wickets to his tally in three games.

It goes without saying India need Jasprit Bumrah in top form in the 4th Test to have any chance of beating Australia and taking a lead in the series.

Bumrah On Cusp Of History

Meanwhile, Bumrah could shatter a colossal record if he can deliver a decent show in the 4th Test. The current no.1 bowler in Tests could become the highest-rated Indian player in the history of cricket. R Ashwin holds the record for highest rated Indian bowler which he achieved in 2016 when he reached a career high of 904 points. Bumrah, on the other hand, has 890 rating points and a good performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground could see him pip Ashwin and become the highest-rated Indian bowler.

Meanwhile, Bumrah needs nine wickets at the MCG to become the first Indian pacer to take 30 wickets in a single edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Overall, Harbhajan Singh holds the record of taking the most wickets in a single edition of the series, with 32 wickets in 2000-2001 series, and Bumrah has great odds to surpass him in the list.

Bumrah also needs five wickets in the 4th Test to become the first Indian bowler to take 20 wickets at the iconic MCG. The pacer has 15 wickets to his tally at the MCG and a wicket in the 4th Test will help him leapfrog Anil Kumble to become the Indian with the most wickets at the venue.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.