In T20I cricket, where people usually pay more attention to batters hitting big shots, bowlers sometimes don’t get noticed much. This type of cricket is all about hitting huge sixes, chasing lots of runs, and showing off batting skills. But despite all the focus on batting, some Indian bowlers have managed to stand out and make a big impact on the game.
Bowlers have a tough job because batters are always trying to hit the ball hard. But these Indian bowlers haven’t just faced this challenge; they’ve done really well at it. Bowling in T20s is like an art that needs accuracy and the ability to outsmart batters. These bowlers have done just that, surprising their opponents with clever moves that even the most aggressive batters can’t predict.
Now, let’s take a look at the Indian bowlers who have taken the most wickets in T20I cricket.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin – 72 wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin is really good at bowling, especially in longer cricket matches. But even in shorter matches like T20 internationals, he’s been doing well. He doesn’t play in T20 matches as often now, but when he does, he’s great at tricking the batters with his different kinds of bowling like carrom balls, leg breaks, and classic off-spin. He once took 4 wickets for just 8 runs against Sri Lanka, showing how good he is at stopping the other team from scoring.
In the 65 T20 matches he’s played, Ashwin has taken 72 wickets. That means he gets a wicket almost every match! His bowling is so good that on average, he gives away just 23 runs for every wicket he takes. And he doesn’t let the other team score too fast either, with an economy rate of 6.90. Ashwin’s smart tactics and ability to take wickets help India win in T20 matches, and that’s why he’s an important player for the team.
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4. Hardik Pandya – 73 wickets
Hardik Pandya is a really good cricket player for India. He’s great at both batting and bowling in T20 matches. His style of play helps India win games. One time, he did really well in the last over of a match against Bangladesh in 2016. He stayed calm and helped India win. He’s taken 73 wickets in 92 T20 matches and has a best of 4/16. His average is 26.71 and he doesn’t let the other team score too many runs when he bowls.
3. Jasprit Bumrah – 74 wickets
Jasprit Bumrah is really important for India’s T20 cricket team because he’s one of their best fast bowlers. He’s famous for getting important wickets by bowling tricky balls like yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers that are hard to hit. Bumrah is like the main guy for India when it comes to bowling in T20 matches.
Bumrah is great at taking wickets, especially when the game is at a critical point. He has taken 74 wickets in 62 T20 matches, with his best performance being 3 wickets for just 11 runs. Bumrah is known for being precise and flexible in his bowling. He doesn’t let the batsmen score many runs, and he takes wickets regularly.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 90 wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a fast bowler from India who isn’t playing for the national team anymore, has become well-known for his excellent bowling in T20 cricket matches. He’s really good at making the ball move in tricky ways and taking important wickets, especially at the start and end of matches.
His skill with the new ball, where he bowls consistently well, has made him a strong player in T20 matches. He’s taken 90 wickets in 87 T20I matches, including an impressive 5 wickets for just 4 runs in one match. This shows how he can change the course of a game when it matters most. But he hasn’t been in the national team since the 2022 T20 World Cup.
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1. Yuzvendra Chahal – 96 wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal is a really good leg-spin bowler for India in T20 cricket. He’s taken more wickets than anyone else for India in this format. Chahal especially good at getting wickets in the middle of the game. He’s played 80 T20 matches for India and has taken 96 wickets. Chahal’s tricky leg-spin deliveries are hard for other teams to handle. He’s also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he’s known for getting important wickets at crucial moments.
One of Chahal’s best performances was against England in 2017. He took six wickets for just 25 runs, showing how skilled he is at bowling leg-spin. On average, he gives away about 25 runs per game and has an economy rate of 8.19, which means he’s good at both taking wickets and keeping the runs down. Even though he’s taken the most wickets for India in T20 cricket, he hasn’t played in a T20I World Cup match yet.
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