Indian Wicket takers in Test Cricket ,embody the country’s rich cricketing heritage and exceptional bowling prowess. These bowlers have made significant contributions across different eras, demonstrating their skill and consistency in various conditions. From spin-friendly tracks in India to challenging overseas pitches, their remarkable achievements underline India’s strength in both spin and pace bowling. Their success not only highlights their individual talents but also reflects the depth of India’s cricketing legacy and its ability to produce world-class bowlers capable of excelling in Test matches.
Here are the Top Indian Wicket takers in Test Cricket:
5. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma is the second-highest wicket-taker for India among active players. He debuted in 2007 and gained prominence during the 2007-08 Australia tour. Known for his hard work and adaptability, he remains a crucial part of India’s pace attack. Recently, he became only the second Indian fast bowler to play over 100 Test matches, highlighting his impressive career.
Harbhajan Singh, another successful off-spinner from India, has made a big impact with 417 Test wickets, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He played Test matches for 18 years, from 1998 to 2015, and was part of a great bowling partnership with Anil Kumble. Harbhajan was the first Indian off-spinner to reach 400 Test wickets and has a strong bowling average of 32.46.
3. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev, the World Cup-winning captain from India. The top wicket-taker for the country in Test cricket for a long time until Anil Kumble surpassed him. Kapil Dev made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1978 and retired in 1994. He was the first Indian bowler to take 400 Test wickets. Among Indian fast bowlers who have played over 70 Tests, Kapil Dev has the best average of 29.64. He is also one of India’s greatest all-rounders, scoring 5,248 runs in Test cricket, including eight centuries and 27 half-centuries.
Ravichandran Ashwin is currently the top Indian bowler. Debuting in 2011, he’s known for his varied deliveries and takes nearly five wickets per match. He also has the best strike rate among Indian Test bowlers, getting a wicket every 52 balls. Ashwin is a useful lower-order batsman with five centuries and 12 half-centuries. He’s second among Indian bowlers for five-wicket and ten-wicket hauls and could still break Anil Kumble’s record.
1. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble has taken the most Test wickets for India, with 619 wickets over an 18-year career. He is one of the greatest leg-spin bowlers ever and is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. Kumble started his Test career in 1990 against England and retired in 2008. A highlight of his career was taking all ten wickets in a single innings against Pakistan in 1999, becoming only the second player ever to do so.
Here are the wicket taken by the bowlers in tabular format: