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India has produced some of the finest bowlers in the history of Test cricket, producing a host of spin wizards, fiery pacemen, and some of the best all-rounders the game has seen.
From their arrival onto the Test scene in the 1930s to the modern day, Indian bowlers have left indelible marks on the game, achieving feats that have helped the national team win countless matches both at home and abroad.
While batsmen often steal headlines, it is the bowlers who have frequently been the architects of India’s victories. Let’s take a moment to explore the top 12 wicket-takers in Indian Test history:
1. Anil Kumble
- 619 wickets in 132 Tests
Anil Kumble is India’s greatest wicket-taker and a true legend of the game, the fourth highest wicket-taker in the history of the game (behind only Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and James Anderson).
Playing from 1990 to 2008, he amassed an incredible 619 wickets at an average of 29.65, with a strike rate of 65.99. Kumble’s career is defined by his relentless accuracy, subtle variations, and his unflappable temperament.
The pinnacle of his bowling came in 1999 against Pakistan at Delhi, where he took all ten wickets in an innings (10/74), joining Jim Laker as the only other player in Test history to have achieved the feat.
Kumble was not a prodigious turner of the ball like many spinners of his era, but his use of pace, bounce, and trajectory made him a constant threat, particularly on Indian wickets.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
- 537 wickets in 106 Tests
Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s modern spin maestro, dominating from 2011 to 2024. With 537 wickets at an average of 24.00 and a strike rate of 50.73, Ashwin combined guile, intelligence, and the ability to adapt to different conditions.
His best innings figures of 7/59 highlight his potency, as he has consistently delivered in high-pressure situations. Ashwin was also a capable lower-order batsman, making him a genuine all-round asset.
Beyond numbers, his tactical acumen and innovation, including carrom balls and subtle variations, made him one of the most complete spinners in the modern era. He retired from Test cricket at the start of 2025.
3. Kapil Dev
- 434 wickets in 131 Tests
Kapil Dev was a pioneer for Indian fast bowling, breaking the stereotype that India could not produce world-class pacers. Playing from 1978 to 1994, Kapil took 434 wickets at 29.64, with a strike rate of 63.91.
His best figures of 9/83 against the West Indies in 1983 demonstrated his match-winning ability. Kapil’s career is also remembered for his all-round contributions, including leading India to the 1983 World Cup triumph.
His combination of pace, bounce, and stamina, especially on helpful wickets abroad, made him one of the most dangerous bowlers of his generation.
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4. Harbhajan Singh
- 417 wickets in 103 Tests
Harbhajan Singh was India’s premier off-spinner. Playing from 1998 to 2015, he took 417 wickets at an average of 32.46. Known for his aggressive style and sharp turn, Harbhajan’s strike rate of 68.53 and best innings figures of 8/84 underline his match-winning potential.
He famously dominated Australia in the early 2000s, particularly in 2001 at Eden Gardens where he took 13 wickets in a Test, helping India to one of the most memorable victories in cricket history.
Harbhajan’s ability to combine spin, bounce, and clever variations ensured he was a constant threat on subcontinental wickets.
5. Ravindra Jadeja
- 330 wickets in 86 Tests
Ravindra Jadeja, still active and playing in the current series against the West Indies, has transformed into one of India’s most reliable all-rounders. Since his debut in 2012, he has taken 330 wickets at an average of 25.21, with a best innings return of 7/42.
Jadeja’s left-arm spin is economical (2.58 runs per over) and consistent, often controlling the game in long spells. Apart from his wicket-taking ability, his agility in the field and handy batting makes him a crucial part of India’s Test setup.
With time, Jadeja is likely to climb further up the list of all-time Indian wicket-takers, although at 36 years old, his days until retirement are probably numbered.
6. Ishant Sharma
- 311 wickets in 105 Tests
Ishant Sharma’s 311 wickets at 32.4 and a strike rate of 61.60 reflect a long career that spanned almost 15 years from 2007 to 2021 in which he spearheaded India’s pace attack.
Tall and able to extract bounce on all surfaces, Ishant was a key figure in India’s overseas success, particularly in Australia and England. His best bowling figures of 7/74 highlight his potential to single-handedly win matches.
His ability to bowl long, attacking spells made him one of India’s most durable fast bowlers.
7. Zaheer Khan
- 311 wickets in 92 Tests
Zaheer Khan, who played between 2000 and 2014, was India’s strike bowler during their rise to the summit of world cricket. Taking 311 wickets at 32.94 with a strike rate of 60.40, Zaheer’s left-arm swing and seam movement troubled batsmen in all conditions.
His best innings figures of 7/87 underscore his ability to produce breakthroughs, particularly in high-pressure situations abroad. Zaheer’s experience and tactical nous helped India win key overseas series, notably in England and Pakistan.
8. Bishan Bedi
- 266 wickets in 67 Tests
Bishan Singh Bedi was the epitome of classical left-arm spin, capturing 266 wickets at 28.71 across a career from 1966 to 1979. With an economy of just 2.14, Bedi’s flight, control, and guile made him one of the finest spinners of his era.
His best innings figures of 7/98 demonstrate his ability to dismantle sides. Bedi’s skill in tying down batsmen and creating pressure enabled India’s fast bowlers to attack from the other end, making him an invaluable asset in his time.
9. BS Chandrasekhar
- 242 wickets in 58 Tests
BS Chandrasekhar, part of India’s famous spin quartet, played from 1964 to 1979. Despite a physical handicap in his bowling arm, he captured 242 wickets at 29.74 with a strike rate of 65.96.
Known for his leg-spin and unique bowling action, Chandrasekhar could produce extraordinary turn and bounce, delivering match-winning spells like his 8/79 against England. His unpredictability made him one of the most dangerous bowlers of his generation.
10. Javagal Srinath
- 236 wickets in 67 Tests
Javagal Srinath was India’s premier pacer in the 1990s, taking 236 wickets at 30.49. With a best innings performance of 8/86, Srinath’s pace and ability to generate bounce made him a consistent threat, especially on overseas wickets.
Srinath played a pivotal role in India’s emergence as a competitive side abroad.
11. Mohammed Shami
- 229 wickets in 64 Tests
Mohammed Shami, active from 2013 to 2023, captured 229 wickets at 27.71 with a strike rate of 50.28. Known for his seam movement and reverse swing, Shami was a potent strike bowler, particularly in the second innings.
His best figures in an innings were 6/56. Shami’s consistency and ability to bowl in the most testing conditions cemented his reputation as one of India’s leading Test bowlers of all time.
12. Jasprit Bumrah
- 222 wickets in 49 Tests
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s new-ball spearhead since 2018, has taken 222 wickets at an astonishing average of 19.74 with a strike rate of 42.48. With best figures of 6/27, Bumrah combines raw pace, deadly accuracy, and unorthodox action to trouble batsmen worldwide.
A genuine threat in all forms of the game, Bumrah ascended quickly to the top ranking in the ICC Test bowlers list.
His economy of 2.78 reflects his control, while his ability to swing the ball both ways, and deliver toe-crushing yorkers even in Tests, has made him a generational talent.
Still relatively early in his career, at 31 years old, Bumrah is poised to climb even higher in India’s all-time wicket-takers list.
Most Test wickets for India – top 12 summary list
1. Anil Kumble: 619 wickets in 132 Tests
2. Ravichandran Ashwin: 537 wickets in 106 Tests
3. Kapil Dev: 434 wickets in 131 Tests
5. Ravindra Jadeja: 330 wickets in 86 Tests
6. Ishant Sharma: 311 wickets in 105 Tests
7. Zaheer Khan: 311 wickets in 92 Tests
8. Bishan Bedi: 266 wickets in 67 Tests
9. BS Chandrasekhar: 242 wickets in 58 Tests
10. Javagal Srinath: 236 wickets in 67 Tests
11. Mohammed Shami: 229 wickets in 64 Tests
12. Jasprit Bumrah: 222 wickets in 49 Tests
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