3 Indian fast bowlers who reached Number 1 spot in ODI rankings

India are known for their abilities to bat, bowl and field and with every passing day, the selection committee keep finding talents who could potentially become the next big thing in Indian cricket. While the country has witnessed many great batters and fielders, the only area where the Indian team were lacking was the pace. 

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Although India had many greats like Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan and Javagal Srinath, it was post MS Dhoni’s arrival, many youngsters were roped in. Mohammed Siraj, on January 25, Wednesday, became the Number 1 bowler in the ODI rankings and we decided to handpick all three fast bowlers from India who achieved the feat. 

Here are the three Indian fast bowlers who became Number 1 bowlers in the ODI rankings: 

 1) Kapil Dev

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Kapil Dev (Image Source: Twitter)

Kapil Dev, the former Indian captain, is known for leading the Indian team to victory in the 60-over World Cup in 1983 and for his stupendous 175 against Zimbabwe in the group stage match of the tournament. Much to the delight of the Indian fans, Kapil became the first-ever Indian pacer to reach the Number 1 spot in the ODI rankings. 

To add more, the former Indian cricketer achieved the feat on March 8, 1989, and created history by becoming the first pacer ever to do so. Kapil racked up 253 wickets in 225 matches that he played and went on to become one of the greatest allrounders to have ever played the sport. 

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2) Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah (Image Source: Twitter)

Jasprit Bumrah was in the best of his forms between 2017 and 2020 as the pacer caused nightmares to batters across the world. To the solace of the Indian fans, the right-armer became the Number 1 ODI bowler on February 3, 2018, and became the second pacer from the country to achieve the feat. 

However, Bumrah was ruled out of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 and was roped in for the ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this month, only to be ruled out of the series later on. With reports of him missing out on the Border-Gavaskar trophy, it remains to be seen if Bumrah could come back with full fitness and regain his lost form. 

1) Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj (Image Source: Twitter)

Mohammed Siraj, the Indian pacer, made his ODI debut in 2019 and was initially trolled for his continued poor run and leaking runs in the death overs. However, the right-arm fast bowler has been growing in stature and picked up 24 wickets in 2022 at an economy of under 5.

Siraj scripted history by becoming the third Indian pacer on January 25, Wednesday, by reaching the Number 1 spot in the Cricket’s governing body rankings for ODIs. The speedster gathered 9 wickets to his name during the ODI series against Sri Lanka and has racked up 14 wickets in the year so far.