India’s Test cricket team has a long history of producing some of the best bowlers in the world. Since the early years of Indian cricket, the team has been known for its strong spin-bowling attack, with players like Subash Gupte, Bishan Singh Bedi, and EAS Prasanna leading the charge. However, in recent years, India has also developed a strong fast-bowling attack, with the likes of Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Ishant Sharma making an impact at the international level. Let’s talk about the Top bowlers who get the most wickets in a test for India.
Top 11 Bowlers with the Most Wickets in a Test for India
This is the list of the most wickets in a test for India.
- Anil Kumble
- Ravi Ashwin
- Kapil Dev
- Harbhajan Singh
- Ishant Sharma
- Zaheer Khan
- Bishan Singh Bedi
- Ravinder Jadeja
- Bhagwat Chandrasekhar
- Javagal Srinath
- Mohammad Shami
Anil Kumble | 619 wickets (1990-2008)
Anil Kumble is the leading wicket-taker in India for test cricket. He is one of the greatest leg-spinners in the history of Test cricket. Kumble made his first appearance in 1990 against England in Manchester. He played Test cricket for 18 years from 1990 to 2008. In Test cricket, he played 132 matches and took 619 wickets at an average of 29.65. He took a total of 35 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket hauls in his Test career. His best bowling figures are 10/74 against Pakistan in Delhi. This was the third time in Test cricket history that a bowler had taken all 10 wickets in an inning, and Kumble became the first Indian bowler to achieve this milestone. He was known for his accuracy, ability to bowl long spells, and his ability to take wickets.
Records in Test Cricket:
- Highest 10 wicket takers and 5 wicket takers for India in Test cricket.
- He is the only Indian bowler to take 500 and 600 wickets in Tests.
- He is the 4th leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.
- One of only three bowlers to take 10 wickets in innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin | 460 wickets (2011 – )
Ravi Ashwin is in the 2nd place to take the most wickets in the test for India. He is one of the best spinners in the current generation and has a successful career in the Test format. His Test debut in 2011 against West Indies. Ashwin has taken 463 wickets in 90 matches at an impressive average of 23.98. He took 31 five-wicket hauls and 7 ten-wicket hauls in his Test career. His best bowling figure is 7/59 against New Zealand. Ashwin has a wide range of deliveries which include the traditional off-spin, carom ball, and the straighter one. His variations in pace make it difficult for batsmen to pick his deliveries, and he is especially effective against right-handed batsmen.
Records in Test:
- He holds the record for the fastest Indian bowler to reach milestones of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 Test wickets.
- Most Man of the Series awards (9) was won in Test cricket.
- Best bowling average among the top Indian wicket-takers.
- Second highest 5-wicket and 10-wicket haul for India in test cricket.
Also Read: Most Runs in ODI Cricket of All Time
Kapil Dev | 434 wickets (1978-1994)
Former Indian captain Kapil dev 3rd in the list to take the most wickets in tests for India. He is considered one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket. Kapil Dev made his first appearance for India in 1978 against Pakistan in Faisalabad. He played Test cricket for India for 16 years, from 1978 to 1994, and captained the Indian team in the ’80s and mid-90s. Kapil had a smooth and fluid action, which helped him generate a good pace and swing. He took a total of 434 wickets in 131 matches, making him the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket at the time of his retirement. He also took 23 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls with the best figure of 9/83 against West Indies.
Records in Test:
- The only player to score 5000 plus runs and take over 400 wickets in Test cricket.
Harbhajan Singh |417 wickets (1998-2015)
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is in the 4th spot to take the most wickets in a test for India. He is one of the best off-spinner and has good control over his variations, such as the off-break, and the doosra, making it difficult for batsmen to read his deliveries. He made his test debut in 1998 against Australia and went on to play in 103 test matches, taking 417 wickets at an average of 32.46. His best figure is 8/84 against Australia in 2001 and took 25 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls.
Records in Test:
- First Indian bowler in test cricket history to take a test hat-trick later broken by Irfan Pathan.
- Third-highest wicket-taker among off-spinners.
- Third-highest 5 wicket hauls for India.
Ishant Sharma |311 wickets (2007-2021)
Ishant Sharma assembles the 5th place to take the most wickets in the test for India. He is considered one of the best fast bowlers in the Indian cricket team. He made his Test debut for India in 2007 against Bangladesh and has played in a total of 105 Test matches. In his Test career, Ishant has taken 311 wickets at an average of 34.24. He has also taken 11 five-wicket and 1 ten-wicket haul.
Records in Test:
- Second Indian fast bowler to complete 100 test matches after Kapil Dev.
- Third fast bowler to take 300 wickets in Test cricket for India.
Also Read: Most Test runs for Pakistan in Test Cricket History
Zaheer Khan | 311 wickets (2000-2014)
Zaheer Khan gets the 6th spot to take the most test wickets for India. He is considered one of the best Indian fast bowlers of all time. He is known for reverse swing and has the ability for swinging the old ball with high speed and accuracy. Zaheer made his debut in 2000 against Bangladesh and has had a successful career in the toughest format of the game. He played a total of 92 test matches, and took 311 wickets with an average of 32.94, his economy rate is 3.27 and his best bowling figure is 7/87 against Bangladesh. Zaheer has taken 11 five-wicket and 1 ten-wicket haul. He played his last test against New Zealand in 2014.
Records in Test:
- Only Indian left-arm bowler to take 300 wickets in test cricket.
- Became the 2nd Indian fast bowler to take over 300 test wickets after Kapil Dev.
Bishan Singh Bedi | 266 wickets (1966-1979)
Left-arm orthodox bowler Bishan Singh Bedi grabbed the 7th place to take the most wickets in a test for India. He is one of the greatest left-arm spin bowlers of his generation. He played for India from 1966 to 1979, and during that time he took 266 wickets in Test cricket. Bedi played in 67 Test matches, and his best bowling figures in an inning were 7/98 against Australia. He was a prominent member of the Indian cricket team during his playing career and his Test bowling statistics tell us he is the best spin bowler of the 70s.
Records in Test:
- Only left-arm spin bowler to take 250 plus test wickets for India.
Ravinder Jadeja | 252 wickets (2012 – )
At number eight on the list is Ravindra Jadeja, the current best all-rounder of the Indian team. He is known for his ability to maintain a consistent line and length and can bowl the traditional orthodox spin flatter, and quicker deliveries which make him more versatile.
He made his test debut in 2012 against England. In Test cricket, he has taken 259 wickets in 62 matches at an average of 23.82. His best bowling figures in innings are 7/42 against Australia. Jadeja has taken 5 wickets on 12 occasions and 10- wickets in a match 1 time in his Test career. He is the best fielder in the Indian team after Mohammad Kaif.
Records in Test:
- Fastest left-arm spin bowler to take 150 test wickets in 32 matches.
- Economical bowling average (24.71) after Ravi Ashwin.
Bhagwat Chandrasekhar | 242 wickets (1964-1979)
Bhagwat Subramanya Chandrasekhar acquires the 9th place to assemble the most wickets in a test for India. He is one of the best leg-spinners of that Era. His first test appearance was against England in 1964. He played 58 Test matches and took 242 wickets at an average of 29.74. His best bowling figures in an inning were 8/79 against England. He played his last test match against England in 1979. He was known for his accuracy and ability to take quick turns and bounce off the pitch.
Records in Test:
- One of the two cricketers to take more wickets (242) than runs (167 runs) in an entire career.
- Became the first bowler in Test history to take the same figure in both innings of a Test match (6/52).
Also Read: Most wickets in Test for Pakistan in Cricket History
Javagal Srinath | 236 wickets (1991-2002)
Current ICC referee Javagal Srinath is 10th on the list to get the most wickets for India in Test. He made his test debut against Australia in 1991. He was one of India’s leading fast bowlers in the 1990s and early 2000s and was a key member of the Indian cricket team during that period. In Test cricket, he took 236 wickets in 67 matches at an average of 30.49. He had 10 five-wicket hauls, and one 10-wicket haul in a match. He can generate reverse swings with the old ball, which is a rare skill among fast bowlers. Srinath played his last test against West Indies in 2003.
Mohammad Shami | 216 wickets (2013 – ?)
Current Indian fast bowler M Shami gets 11th place in the list. He is one of the most experienced fast bowlers in the country in the Current Era. His first appearance in a test against West Indies in 2013. In Test cricket, he has taken 223 wickets in 62 matches at an average of 27.00. His best bowling figures in an inning are 6/56 against Australia.
Records in Test:
- Most wickets on Test debut (9) which is the most by any Indian bowler on debut.
- 5th Indian pacer to take 200 Test wickets.
List of Top 20 Indian players with the most Wickets In Tests
| Player | Test cap | Match | Inn | Wkts | Avg | Best | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | 192 | 132 | 236 | 619 | 29.65 | 10/74 | 35 | 8 |
| Ravi Ashwin* | 271 | 90 | 170 | 463 | 23.98 | 7/59 | 31 | 7 |
| Kapil Dev | 141 | 131 | 227 | 434 | 29.64 | 9/83 | 23 | 2 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 220 | 103 | 190 | 417 | 32.46 | 8/84 | 25 | 5 |
| Ishant Sharma | 258 | 105 | 188 | 311 | 32.40 | 7/74 | 11 | 1 |
| Zaheer Khan | 231 | 92 | 165 | 311 | 32.94 | 7/87 | 11 | 1 |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | 113 | 67 | 118 | 266 | 28.71 | 7/98 | 14 | 1 |
| Ravinder Jadeja* | 275 | 62 | 118 | 259 | 23.82 | 7/42 | 12 | 1 |
| BS Chandrasekhar | 106 | 58 | 97 | 242 | 29.74 | 8/79 | 16 | 2 |
| Javagal Srinath | 193 | 67 | 121 | 236 | 30.49 | 8/86 | 10 | 1 |
| Mohammad Shami* | 279 | 62 | 118 | 223 | 27.04 | 6/56 | 6 | 0 |
| EAS Prasanna | 105 | 49 | 86 | 189 | 30.38 | 8/76 | 10 | 2 |
| Umesh Yadav | 272 | 54 | 106 | 165 | 30.20 | 6/88 | 3 | 1 |
| MH Mankad | 30 | 44 | 70 | 162 | 32.32 | 8/52 | 8 | 2 |
| S Venkataraghavan | 110 | 57 | 96 | 156 | 36.11 | 8/72 | 3 | 1 |
| Ravi Shastri | 151 | 80 | 125 | 151 | 40.96 | 5/75 | 2 | 0 |
| SP Gupte | 58 | 36 | 61 | 149 | 29.55 | 9/102 | 12 | 1 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 290 | 30 | 58 | 128 | 21.99 | 6/27 | 8 | 0 |
| Dilip Doshi | 146 | 33 | 55 | 114 | 30.71 | 6/102 | 6 | 0 |
| PP Ojha | 261 | 24 | 48 | 113 | 30.26 | 6/47 | 7 | 1 |
All information about stats from Cricinfo.
Questions
Who has taken the most Test wickets for India?
Anil Kumble took the most test wickets for India. In Test cricket, he played 132 matches and took 619 wickets at an average of 29.65.
Who took the fastest 100 wickets in the Test?
Jasprit Bumrah took the fastest 100 wickets for India in just 24 matches and break Kapil Dev’s record.
Who took the most wickets in a single test match for India?
Narendra Hirwani took the most wickets in a single test match for India. He took 16/136 against West Indies in 1987.
Which current player has the most Test wickets for India?
Ravi Ashwin has the most wickets in tests in the current Era.
Which took the most wickets in the world test championship 2021-23 for India?
Jasprit Bumrah took the most test wickets in the world test championship 2021-23 for India. He took 45 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.73.
Who took the fastest 300 wickets in the Test?
Ravichandran Ashwin took the fastest 300 wickets in the test for India.