Mohammed Shami vs Jasprit Bumrah: Stats & Wickets Comparison (Who Is Better)
India’s fast bowling legacy in recent years has often been summed up by two names: Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. While both are indispensable assets for Team India, their styles, roles, peaks and career trajectories differ. In many discussions, fans and analysts ask: “Who is better?”
In this updated blog, we will compare their careers across formats (Tests, ODIs, T20/IPL). Apart from that, we will also take a closer look at their goals, strengths and weaknesses to make a final decision.
Recent Milestones And Context You Provided
First, let’s include the new information as framing:
- Leaving all formats: In September 2025, during the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Bumrah surpassed Shami in India’s all-format wickets chart. And he became the eighth-highest wicket-taker for India across all formats.
- Shami’s Unwanted Record: In the Champions Trophy match against Pakistan in 2025, Shami bowled an over with 5 wides. He bowled a six-ball over in 11 balls. This broke Bumrah’s previous record (a 9-ball over).
- ODI comparison after 89 matches: After 89 matches, Shami had taken 162 wickets (average 25.75), while Bumrah had taken 149 wickets (average 23.55). Shami bowled 45 maidens to Bumrah’s 57 maidens; Shami bowled 9 fours + 1 five, and Bumrah bowled 6 fours + 2 fives. Also, Shami’s strike rate against Bumrah was 30.7.
- Test comparison after 77 Test innings: After 77 innings, Bumrah had an average of 20.57, a strike rate of 44.6 and 10 five-wickets. Shami had taken 144 wickets at an average of 29.54, a strike rate of 52.5 and 4 five-wickets. Bumrah’s best performance was 6/27, Shami’s was 6/56 in that innings.
- World Cup 2023 / ODI Tournament: In the 2023 World Cup, Shami took 23 wickets in 6 matches, including many five-wickets (7/57 in the semi-final). Bumrah’s campaign also continued to be strong. Notably, in that tournament, Shami and Bumrah became the first Indian bowling pair to take 20+ wickets in a single World Cup.
These recent events and records show how the race between them is still evolving, not static.
Comparative Statistics Across All Formats
Below is a structured comparison incorporating classical statistics and the latest data.
Test Cricket
| Metric | Mohammed Shami | Jasprit Bumrah |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Bowled | 122 | 95 |
| Wickets Taken | 229 | 226 |
| Overs Bowled | 1919 | 1609 |
| Maidens | 364 | 379 |
| Runs Conceded | 6346 | 4483 |
| Economy Rate | 3.31 | 2.78 |
| Best Bowling | 6/56 | 6/27 |
This suggests that in red-ball cricket, Bumrah was stronger (at least in that snapshot).
One-Day International (ODI)
| Metric | Mohammed Shami | Jasprit Bumrah |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Bowled | 107 | 88 |
| Wickets Taken | 206 | 149 |
| Overs Bowled | 887 | 763 |
| Maidens | 52 | 57 |
| Runs Conceded | 4955 | 3509 |
| Economy Rate | 5.58 | 4.60 |
| Best Bowling | 7/57 | 6/19 |
Overall, in ODIs, it’s close: Shami is more aggressive, Bumrah is more economical. Also, in the World Cup and ICC tournaments, Shami’s performance is different. In the 2023 World Cup, he had a great performance (23 wickets in 6 matches, several 5-wickets). Bumrah was good in that tournament but statistically lagged behind him.
T20 Cricket
| Metric | Mohammed Shami | Jasprit Bumrah |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Bowled | 25 | 74 |
| Wickets Taken | 27 | 96 |
| Overs Bowled | 85 | 269 |
| Maidens | 1 | 12 |
| Runs Conceded | 761 | 1714 |
| Economy Rate | 8.95 | 6.36 |
| Best Bowling | 3/15 | 3/7 |
In T20 Internationals, Jasprit has clearly been better than Shami, with his economy rate (6.36 vs 8.95) being significantly better in almost three times the number of matches. Bumrah’s superior control and consistency make him India’s go-to bowler in the shorter format.
T20 / IPL / T20 Internationals
T20 is more difficult due to the smaller sample size, changing roles and match conditions. But a few observations:
- Bumrah is famous for his death bowling, yorkers, slow balls, changes in pace and control in the final overs.
- In T20 and IPL, Shami is often deployed in the powerplay, middle overs or to take wickets rather than just limiting runs. Some analysts call him an “underrated T20 bowler” because he is a risk-taker and sometimes expensive.
- Exact head-to-head T20I statistics are less clear in the sources we have available. But overall, Bumrah commands more respect for economy and control under pressure in the shorter formats.
In the IPL, Bumrah’s consistency has been mentioned repeatedly in media reports over the years. (e.g. his best stats, economy, etc.)
Read More: Rohit Sharma vs Shubman Gill: Who Is Better? Batting & Stats Comparison
Strengths, Weaknesses And Intangibility
After comparing the stats, let’s revisit the qualitative factors, now with new milestones and records in mind.
Role And Match Load
- Bumrah is often used as India’s premium strike bowler across all formats, especially in the match-deciding overs (final overs, last spell). His role requires both attack and control.
- Shami is often used as an “attacker” as his job is to break partnerships, take wickets or turn the match around with bursts of brilliance. This sometimes comes at the cost of conceding more runs.
Because of these role differences, Bumrah’s consistency and his ability to keep control become more valuable in many games.
Fitness, Injuries And Career Management
- Bumrah has struggled with back problems; in early 2025, he was ruled out due to a back injury.
- Shami had an ankle injury that kept him out for a long time, and the selectors were keen not to rush his return.
- The fact that both have managed injuries and are still central to India’s setup is a testament to their resilience. But injuries and career declines can affect rhythm and peaks.
Records (Good And Bad)
- Bumrah becoming the fastest Indian to take 50 Test wickets at home is a sign of his dominance in that format.
- Shami’s five-wide over (in the Champions Trophy 2025) is an example of instability and “unwanted record”.
- Shami’s record (low average) in ICC tournaments is often cited among fans.
Such records show how both consistency and sometimes distance shape public perception.
Conclusion
With all the above data, if anyone has to pick a better bowler overall, it is Jasprit Bumrah. His consistency, ability across formats and control have truly made him an excellent bowler among all the other Indian players. But Mohammed Shami is not far behind; in fact, he can surpass Bumrah in certain matches or tournaments.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who currently has more international wickets, Shami or Bumrah?
As of the end of September 2025, Jasprit Bumrah has surpassed Shami in the list of wicket-takers for India across all formats. He is now on 464 wickets at an average of 20.61, while Shami has 462 wickets.
Q2. What are his weak points?
Shami sometimes bowls very costly spells (especially on flat pitches). One notable lapse is in the Champions Trophy where he bowled 5 wides and took 11 balls to complete an over. Bumrah has a back injury which has led to him missing the tournament (e.g. Champions Trophy 2025)
