Top 9 wicket-takers in Test history: Surprise name at No.7, spin legends in top two

Test cricket is the purest and most demanding form of the game. It is where bowlers are tested over long spells, often on flat pitches, in extreme conditions, and against the best in the world.

To take a wicket in Test cricket is to win a battle. To take hundreds of them is to achieve greatness.

Over nearly 150 years of Test history, only a handful of bowlers have climbed into the elite territory of 500-plus wickets.

They are a mix of relentless seamers and beguiling spinners, each bringing their own unique style to dismantling batting lineups across the world.

Here is a look at the top nine wicket-takers in Test history and what made each of them so special.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1992-2010)

• 800 wickets
• 230 innings
• 22.72 average

At the top of the mountain sits Muttiah Muralitharan, the only bowler in history to reach the 800 Test wicket mark. His numbers are simply staggering, an average under 23, over 60 five-wicket hauls, and a career that redefined spin bowling – and which courted controversy.

Muralitharan’s action was unconventional, and at times controversial, but his results were unarguable. With an off-spinner’s core and a wrist-spinner’s deception, he bamboozled opponents with doosras, topspinners, and an outrageous array of variations.

He was especially dominant in Asia, where pitches suited his immense turn, but he also found success in England, South Africa, and beyond. Fittingly, he took his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Test cricket.

2. Shane Warne (Australia, 1992-2007)

• 708 wickets
• 273 innings
• 25.41 average

Shane Warne didn’t just take wickets, he brought spin bowling back into vogue. A magician with the ball and a master of mind games, Warne made leg-spin glamorous again. His sharp turn, control, and ability to vary flight and pace kept batsmen second-guessing.

The ‘Ball of the Century’ to Mike Gatting in 1993 was just the beginning. Over a decade and a half, Warne tormented teams across the world. His rivalry with batsmen like Tendulkar and Lara became legendary. His death in 2022 sent shockwaves across the cricketing world, such was his stature in the game.

3. James Anderson (England, 2003-2024)

• 704 wickets
• 350 innings
• 26.45 average

James Anderson’s career is a masterclass in reinvention and subject-matter mastery. Starting out as a tearaway fast bowler, he evolved into a craftsman, honing the art of swing bowling to the point of near-perfection.

With 704 wickets to his name, Anderson is the most prolific fast bowler in Test history.

His ability to swing the ball both ways, especially in English conditions, saw him undo some of the finest batsmen ever produced. But Anderson’s success abroad, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, silenced critics who once questioned his overseas record.

He played up till the age of 41, his longevity unprecedented for a seamer.

4. Anil Kumble (India, 1990-2008)

• 619 wickets
• 236 innings
• 29.65 average

Anil Kumble was a spinner unlike any other. He didn’t rely heavily on turn but used pace, bounce, and relentless accuracy (unusual for a leg-spinner) to dismantle batting lineups.

A match-winner on Indian pitches and often underrated abroad, Kumble became India’s most successful bowler through determination and guile.

His 10-wicket haul in an innings against Pakistan in 1999 remains one of the sport’s iconic moments. More than just a wicket taker, Kumble was a team leader who embodied grit. His contributions helped transform India into a one of the top sides globally, especially at home, and his record stood unchallenged for a generation.

5. Stuart Broad (England, 2007-2023)

• 604 wickets
• 309 innings
• 27.68 average

Stuart Broad thrived in the pressure cooker of Ashes battles and revelled in moments when the stakes were highest. Known for producing unplayable spells from nowhere, Broad was often at his most dangerous when the ball was moving and the crowd were vocal.

His ability to take wickets in clusters became a trademark, just ask Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015, when he ripped through the top order with figures of 8/15.

With over 150 Tests to his name, Broad’s longevity and knack for turning games in a session firmly established him as one of England’s greatest fast bowlers.

Fancy a change of pace? The remarkable strike rates of 9 bowlers with 300+ Test wickets – unsurprisingly, only 1 spinner on the list

6. Glenn McGrath (Australia, 1993-2007)

• 563 wickets
• 243 innings
• 21.64 average

Glenn McGrath was the ultimate metronome; reliable, clinical, and relentlessly accurate. He didn’t swing the ball much, nor was he express pace, but his mastery of line and length and ability to extract bounce made him a nightmare for batsmen.

McGrath’s average of 21.64 is one of the best among bowlers with 300-plus wickets. His success in every country, particularly in England and the West Indies, and his dominance of top-order batsmen set him apart.

Perhaps no bowler ever made the corridor of uncertainty look more dangerous than McGrath did at his peak.

7. Nathan Lyon (Australia, 2011-2025)

• 556 wickets
• 257 innings
• 30.26 average

Nathan Lyon’s rise to become Australia’s most successful off-spinner is a tale of persistence and evolution. From a groundsman at the Adelaide Oval to Australia’s frontline spinner, Lyon has earned every one of his 556 wickets.

What he lacks in mystery or flashy variations, he makes up for with supreme control, bounce, and consistency. His trajectory has included key performances in home Ashes series, as well as overseas wins in Asia.

Lyon’s ability to bowl marathon spells and build pressure has made him an indispensable part of Australia’s bowling unit across formats for over a decade. Lyon’s biggest ‘weakness’ is, simply, that he is not Shane Warne.

Warne set the benchmark for spinners in Australia and in terms of excitement and magic he simply cannot come close to the legendary leggie – but that doesn’t make him a bad cricketer, if anything, it just means that he is frequently underestimated.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin (India, 2011-2024)

• 537 wickets
• 200 innings
• 24.00 average

India’s leading spinner of the recent past, Ravichandran Ashwin, became one of the most influential cricketers of the modern era.

A classical off-spinner with a voracious appetite for reinvention, Ashwin’s intelligence and tactical mastery allowed him to flourish in all conditions.

While many of his wickets come on spinning tracks at home, Ashwin was also very successful abroad, with notable performances in Australia, West Indies, and England.

His mastery of drift, dip, and subtle variation has made him deadly, especially against left-handers. His ability to deliver match-defining spells while contributing significantly with the bat made him one of the most complete cricketers of his generation.

9. Courtney Walsh (West Indies, 1984-2001)

• 519 wickets
• 242 innings
• 24.44 average

Courtney Walsh was a pioneer in many ways. He was the first bowler to reach 500 Test wickets, setting a benchmark for the modern era. A towering figure with an effortless action, Walsh was known for his incredible stamina and heart.

At a time when genuine quick bowlers tended to have shorter careers than their spinning and batting teammates, Walsh bucked the trend. He bowled long spells and always gave everything to the team cause.

While his partner-in-crime Curtly Ambrose often grabbed the headlines, Walsh was no less effective. He could move the ball off the seam and extract awkward bounce even from lifeless pitches.

What made him truly great was his ability to remain effective over a career that spanned 17 years, a testament to his fitness and skill.

Read next: Seven all-rounders who took a 5-for and scored a century in the same Test multiple times

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Top 9 ranked: Where does Shubman Gill place on 2025’s most runs scored list?

We’re well into 2025 and several batters have dominated for their nations, racking up centuries and huge amounts of runs across all formats of international cricket.

A select group of elite batters have dominated Test cricket, One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals alike, scoring runs at will in both red and white ball cricket.

Let’s take a look at the nine batsmen who led the way for run scoring across all three formats in 2025…

1. Shubman Gill (India) – 1065 runs across all formats in 2025

India’s most prolific batter of 2025, scoring 1065 runs at a stunning average of 87.33. His high score of 269 in the first innings against England at Edgbaston was the highest score at the venue by an Indian batter.

He added 160 in the second innings to become one of a select group to score a double century and century in the same match.

2. Ben Duckett (England) – 1064 runs

A fearless stroke maker across all formats, Duckett has had a standout year for England, piling up 1064 runs across all formats at an average of 39.47.

Three centuries and a top score of 165 highlight his scoring this year with a rapid strike rate of 110.29.

3. Joe Root (England) – 747 runs

Root’s class is timeless and he’s been ever consistent yet again in 2025 with 741 runs at an imperious average of 67.36.

His highest score of 166* has been the highlight as he’s proven England’s stabiliser on many an occasion.

4. George Munsey (Scotland) – 734 runs

Scotland’s explosive top-order anchor has been on another level this year, averaging 56.46 at a strike rate of 115.95.

His 191-run innings was not only his best but the highest ODI knock for Scotland in a season where he’s cleared the boundary rope 34 times for his nation.

5. Harry Brook (England) – 724 runs

The newly appointed England white-ball captain has scored 724 runs in 2025 at an average of 38.10.

He’s redefining the ability to balance rapid scoring while maintaining a calm temperament at the crease with a measured strike rate of 93.41.

6. Agha Salman (Pakistan) – 722 runs

Salman has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most reliable middle-order batters and consistently delivers in home conditions.

He was effective in the Test series against England and has struck a century and four fifties in 2025, high scoring with a score of 134.

7. Karanbir Singh (Austria) – 670 runs

Austria’s star is making the most of his opportunity for the emerging nation, scoring runs at will and clearing the boundary with remarkable ease.

He’s smacked 48 sixes in 2025 with his fearless T20 batting with a destructive strike rate of 155.81, raising eyebrows.

8. Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) – 630 runs

Bennett has been a key part of Zimbabwe’s competitiveness, with the 21-year-old averaging 52.33 for his country across all formats this year.

The all-rounder has got a promising international career ahead of him and has already made a century and taken five wickets in a match.

9. Jermaine Baker (Cayman Islands) – 628 runs

Despite never scoring an international century, the wicketkeeper batter has been a key cog in the Cayman Islands side with seven half-centuries in 2025.

He struck a valuable 94 off 60 balls in a T20 World Cup qualifier against the Bahamas and has hit 37 maximums in 14 innings.

READ MORE: Gill v Kohli: The spooky Test symmetry between ‘The King’ and ‘The Prince’

   

 

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England staring at defeat after losing three quick wickets

England staring at defeat after losing three quick wickets

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Double-century and century in same Test – Shubman Gill joins elite top 9 club; who are the other 8?

Who has scored a double-century and century in the same Test?

Find out more about batters who have hit a double-century and century in one Test match.

Eight batters have scored a 200 and 100 in the same match in Test cricket.

1. Doug Walters (Australia) – 242 and 103 v West Indies, 1969

Doug Walters was the first to achieve this tremendous feat. He did it for Australia against the West Indies in Sydney in 1969. His 345-run contribution was almost the exact margin of the Aussies’ 382-run victory in the fifth and final Test.

Australia won the series three-one, overcoming a host bowling attack that featured Wes Hall, Garry Sobers, Lance Gibbs and Charlie Griffith – a significant series triumph, indeed.

2. Sunil Gavaskar (India) – 124 and 220 v West Indies, 1971

Sunil Gavaskar was the first India player to record this outstanding milestone. He also did it against the West Indies, in Port of Spain in 1971. These were two truly magnificent knocks.

He opened the batting in both innings, leading other players such as Ajit Wadekar, Syed Abid Ali and Dilip Sardesai by example. It was not enough to bring victory, though, as the match ended in a draw.

3. Lawrence Rowe (West Indies) – 214 and 100 not out v New Zealand, 1972

This time the West Indies enjoyed one of their players joining the record, rather than having someone do it against them. Lawrence Rowe hit a double-century and century in the same Test against New Zealand in Kingston in 1972.

The West Indies declared immediately after Rowe reached three figures in the third innings in an attempt to bowl New Zealand out for a second time in the fourth. It didn’t work and the match was drawn.

4. Greg Chappell (Australia) – 247 not out and 133 v New Zealand, 1974

The second Australian to hit a double-ton and ton in the same Test match was Greg Chappell, who did this against New Zealand in Wellington in 1974.

He was playing under brother Ian Chappell, who was captain at the time. There were four other centurions in this match as well. A relatively flat pitch at the Basin Reserve effectively ensured a draw.

Also read: Kane Williamson over Ross Taylor – and no Stephen Fleming? Selecting New Zealand’s best Test XI since 1985

5. Graham Gooch (England) – 333 and 123 v India, 1990

The first and only England player to date to hit a double-century and century in the same Test match is Graham Gooch. His record came against India at Lord’s in 1990.

Gooch, alongside Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, are the only players to have hit a triple-century and century in the same Test. Gooch arguably collected the record at a more prestigious venue.

6. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 221 and 130 v Sri Lanka, 2001

The second West Indian to hit scores of 200-plus and 100-plus in one Test, Brian Lara did this against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001. This was the first time the record was achieved in the sub-continent.

Lara’s contributions across both innings were particularly key in the middle order after the openers had fallen early twice. Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets despite Lara’s enormous effort.

7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 319 and 105 v Bangladesh, 2014

The first Sri Lankan to hit a century and double-ton in the same Test match, Kumar Sangakkara managed this against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2014.

Sangakkara, alongside England’ Graham Gooch, are the only player to have hit a triple-ton and ton in the same Test match. Sangakkara was not wicketkeeper in this match, instead freed up to concentrate on his primary role with the bat – this certainly paid off. But the match was drawn.

8. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 204 and 104 not out v West Indies, 2022

The third Australia star to reach this record, Marnus Labuschagne was absolutely outstanding against the West Indies in Perth in 2022. The South African-born batter thrilled his adopted nation’s fans.

Labuschagne was named player of the match as Australia collected a 164-run win. Steven Smith also hit a double-century in this match and shared a hefty partnership with Labuschagne.

9. Shubman Gill (India) – 269 and 100 not out v England, 2025

Gill became the first Indian to hit a double-century and century in the same Test since Gavaskar more than 50 years earlier. This was Gill’s first series as India’s new Test captain following the resignation of predecessor Rohit Sharma.

Gill had also hit a century in the series opener in Headingley, but was even better in the second Test of the series at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where an England seam bowling attack spearheaded by Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes struggled.

Gill is the only Indian to score 350-plus runs in total in a single Test. It looks as though he has a prolific career head of him – and the rest of this series against England could tell us a lot about just how prolific he will be in the future.

Summary list of players with double-century and century in same Test

1. Doug Walters (Australia) – 242 and 103 v West Indies, 1969

2. Sunil Gavaskar (India) – 124 and 220 v West Indies, 1971

3. Lawrence Rowe (West Indies) – 214 and 100 not out v New Zealand, 1972

4. Greg Chappell (Australia) – 247 not out and 133 v New Zealand, 1974

5. Graham Gooch (England) – 333 and 123 v India, 1990

6. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 221 and 130 v Sri Lanka, 2001

7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 319 and 105 v Bangladesh, 2014

8. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 204 and 104 not out v West Indies, 2022

9. Shubman Gill (India) – 269 and 100 not out v England, 2025

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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India in dominant position despite Jamie Smith’s brilliant 184 for England

India in dominant position despite Jamie Smith’s brilliant 184 for England

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11 youngest batters to score a Test double century: Bradman and Sobers in, but no space for Gill

Shubman Gill’s double ton at Edgbaston during the second Test against England was a remarkable achievement.

As a new skipper with a loss in his first game, Gill was under pressure to step up and fill the void created by the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

His knock was a real statement, as most double centuries inevitably are. At 25 years and 298 days when he hit the double ton, he is still a young man, but does he feature on the list of the youngest ever players to score a double century? Let’s take a look at that list.

1. Javed Miandad (Pakistan): Scored 206 runs v NZ at age 19 years and 140 days

The youngest ever: Miandad’s 206 against New Zealand in Karachi in 1976 came at an age when most cricketers were still finding their way through youth systems. In only his second Test, and still a teenager, Miandad batted with astonishing composure against seamers and spinners alike.

His innings laid the groundwork for a 21-year Test career defined by resilience, adaptability and late-match heroics.

2. George Headley (West Indies): Scored 223 runs v England at age 20 years and 308 days

Often called the “Black Bradman,” Headley’s 223 against England in 1930 came before he turned 21. That knock was essential in establishing the West Indies as a Test power. Headley’s elegant knock was significant because it came with his side under enormous pressure.

England had scored 849 in their first innings leaving the home side in all sorts of trouble as they fought to save the Test in the final innings. Headley set out his stall, showing that Caribbean batsmen could battle English attacks with grace and consistency. His technique and character set a foundation for future West Indian greats as the Caribbean side held out for a famous draw.

3. Vinod Kambli (India): Scored 224 runs v England at age 21 years and 32 days

Kambli’s ferocious 224 against England in Nagpur in 1993 arrived just a handful of days after he turned 21. His fearless strike-rate in an innings filled with pulls, drives and cuts, thrilled crowds and stunned the cricket establishment.

Part of India’s “Fab Four” in the 90s, the innings showed his dazzling potential – unlike his friend Sachin Tendulkar, whose career went from strength-to-strength, Kambli failed to emulate his youthful success, and he slowly faded into obscurity.

4. Garry Sobers (West Indies): Scored 365* runs v Pakistan at age 21 years and 213 days

Sobers’ unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 remains one of cricket’s greatest individual achievements. At just 21 years, 213 days, he scored one of only 32 triple-centuries in Test history.

Combining elegance with sustained aggression across three days, Sobers seemed poised to dominate for decades. His knock remains one of the most breathtaking double-plus centuries ever. The West Indies went on to win the game by an innings and 174 runs.

5. Graeme Smith (South Africa): Scored 200 runs v Bangladesh at age 21 years and 259 days

Smith’s milestone 200 against Bangladesh in 2002 was early proof of a natural leader. As a prodigious talent who’d become captain just months earlier, he justified the selector’s faith by anchoring the innings with extraordinary patience, mental fortitude and impeccable shot selection.

It showed maturity beyond his age and cemented his position as a key figure in South Africa’s rise to the top of the Test game.

Fancy a change of pace? Ranking Virat Kohli’s 7 Test double centuries – only 1 was scored outside India

6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): Scored 242 runs v India at age 21 years and 273 days

In 1997, Jayawardene scored 242 against India in Colombo at just 21 years, 273 days. His innings was the starting point of a 17-year journey to legendary status.

The elegant right-hander bore the brunt against Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble with measured drives and late cuts. His double-hundred contributed to a high-scoring draw but more importantly, it heralded his arrival as the future of Sri Lanka’s batting.

7. Sunil Gavaskar (India): Scored 220 runs v West Indies at age 21 years and 277 days

Gavaskar’s 220 versus the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1971 resurrected India’s Test prestige. At 21 years, 277 days, the young opener silenced a fearsome Caribbean pace attack with impeccable shot selection.

His innings stood out for its precision and concentration as he overcame hostile bowling and a tricky surface. Gavaskar didn’t just score the double in the second innings; he also scored a century in the first innings with a performance that set India on a course from Test minnows to genuine contenders.

8. Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies): Scored 212 runs v Bangladesh at age 21 years and 278 days

Brathwaite’s measured 212 against Bangladesh in 2012 wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what West Indies needed: steady, patient, and unflustered. Their traditional red-ball culture reborn, Brathwaite showed classical technique under pressure.

His knock, filled with long-serving defence and timely aggression, became foundational in his rise to leadership roles for the Windies. In all he faced 447 balls as the Windies, skippered by Denesh Ramdin, won by 10 wickets.

9. Donald Bradman (Australia): Scored 254 runs v England at age 21 years and 304 days

Sir Donald Bradman’s 254 against England in Adelaide in 1930 remains one of the most iconic innings in cricket. Made at 21 years, 304 days, it offered an early glimpse of a genius who would rewrite batting history.

Bradman’s knock contained audacious strokes, especially the hook and pull against great bowlers like Gubby Allen and Maurice Tate. That double hundred anchored Australia to a commanding seven wicket victory and set the tone for his legendary career.

10. Jacques Rudolph (South Africa): Scored 222* runs v Bangladesh at age 21 years and 355 days

Rudolph’s sensational 222* against Bangladesh in 2003 turned his career from promising, to formidable overnight. Rudolph wasn’t just young, he was on debut and playing at just under 22, he showed an unshakeable temperament, remaining unbeaten. His performance, mostly unheralded globally, was a record for a South African player at the time and helped the Proteas to a dominant win.

Rudolph, known for his calmness and range of strokes, made batting look easy. He played a total of 48 Tests for South Africa but never scored more for them than he did in his debut knock.

11. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): Scored 209 runs v England at age 22 years and 36 days

India’s current opening batsman, Jaiswal’s 209 against England at 22 years, 36 days was made in Visakhapatnam in 2024. Opening the batting alongside double-ton specialist Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal was completely dominant as he smashed an attack that included James Anderson and Shoaib Bashir to all parts.

His score came from just 290 balls and comprised more than 50 percent of the first innings total of 396. It was a critical knock that was the difference between the two teams as India went on to win by 106 runs.

Read next: Gill v Kohli: The spooky Test symmetry between ‘The King’ and ‘The Prince’

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Seven all-rounders who took a 5-for and scored a century in the same Test multiple times

The mark of a good all-rounder is that they can hold their place in a team as either a batsman or a bowler – it’s a statement that makes a lot of sense.

But on their day and in the right circumstances, anybody can score some solid runs or bag a handful of wickets. So how do you really judge true all-round ability?

The coveted batting landmark is the century, while for bowlers it is five wickets in an innings. A top all-rounder should be able to do both in the same game.

It sounds sensible, but the reality is that in the almost 150-year history of Test cricket, it’s a feat that has only been achieved on 40 occasions, by only 28 players.

South Africa’s Corbin Bosch managed the feat in the recently completed first Test against Zimbabwe. But who else has done it, and more impressively, done it multiple times?

Here are the select few players who have scored a century and taken a five-wicket haul in an innings in the same Test on more than one occasion.

1. Garry Sobers (West Indies) – twice

1. 104 and 5/63 vs India, Kingston, April 1962
2. 174 and 5/41 vs England, Leeds, August 1966

Garry Sobers is often regarded as the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen. A classical left-handed batsman with immense range and a bowler who could switch between pace and spin, Sobers’ all-round brilliance came to full expression twice.

His performance against India in 1962 was vintage Sobers – graceful with the bat, clinical with the ball. Four years later, his domination of England at Headingley confirmed that when Sobers was in the mood, he could control all aspects of the game.

2. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) – twice

1. 201 and 5/49 vs New Zealand, Dunedin, February 1973
2. 121 and 5/28 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, April 1977

Mushtaq Mohammad’s name may not be as widely recognised outside Pakistan, but his all-round skills were exemplary. In Dunedin, he became the first Pakistani to make a double century and take five wickets in a single match.

His second instance, four years later against a strong West Indies side, underlined his match-winning capabilities. A stylish middle-order batsman and shrewd leg-spinner, Mushtaq’s contribution to Pakistan cricket was immense.

Interestingly, while most people on this list completed the achievement at home, Mushtaq Mohammad achieved the feat twice away from home.

Also read: Revealed – how many more Test runs Joe Root needs to beat Sachin Tendulkar

3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – twice

1. 110 and 5/90 vs West Indies, Cape Town, January 1999
2. 139 not out and 5/21 vs Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, October 2002

Perhaps the most statistically dominant all-rounder since Sobers, Jacques Kallis was primarily seen as a batting giant. But when needed, he delivered with the ball.

His five-for against the West Indies came during the early years of his career and helped announce him as a true all-format cricketer.

His unbeaten 139 and 5/21 against Bangladesh might have come against weaker opposition, but the balance and poise with which he delivered both innings reaffirmed his status as one of the greats.

4. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – twice

1. 144 and 6/82 vs Pakistan, Mirpur, December 2011
2. 137 and 5/80, 5/44 vs Zimbabwe, Khulna, November 2014

The best cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced, Shakib Al Hasan’s influence was colossal. In 2011 against Pakistan, his all-round display was the only beacon in an otherwise underwhelming Bangladesh side.

His performance in Khulna three years later, where he claimed two five-wicket hauls alongside a century, is one of the most dominant all-round showings in Test history.

No matter the opposition, Shakib’s ability to control matches on his own terms, places him in rare company. It is no surprise that he spent a considerable period of time atop the ICC’s all-rounder rankings.

5. Ravindra Jadeja (India) – twice

1. 175 not out and 5/41 vs Sri Lanka, Mohali, March 2022
2. 112 and 5/41 vs England, Rajkot, February 2024

India’s Ravindra Jadeja is a modern-day marvel. Long seen as a handy spinning all-rounder, Jadeja turned himself into a world-class contributor with both bat and ball.

In Mohali, he rescued India from early trouble to post a huge score and then dismantled Sri Lanka with the ball. Two years later, against England in the 2024 series, he did it again, showing off his improved batting maturity alongside relentless accuracy and guile with the ball.

His fielding prowess only added to the overall package.

6. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 4 times

1. 103 and 5/156 vs West Indies, Wankhede, November 2011
2. 113 and 7/83 vs West Indies, North Sound, July 2016
3. 106 and 5/43 vs England, Chennai, February 2021
4. 113 and 6/88 vs Bangladesh, Chennai, September 2024

Ashwin stands alone as the only man to achieve this remarkable feat four times in Test history. Known primarily as a bowling wizard with 500+ Test wickets, his batting, especially at home, evolved to the extent that it could be match-defining.

His debut series in 2011 was memorable, but the 2021 and 2024 efforts came during phases when he was redefining himself as a batting force as well.

Versatile, intelligent, and fearless, Ashwin’s ability to adapt makes him a truly elite all-rounder. His retirement at the start of the year has been keenly felt.

7. Ian Botham (England) – 5 times

1. 103 and 5/73 vs New Zealand, Christchurch, February 1978
2. 108 and 8/34 vs Pakistan, London, June 1978
3. 114 and 6/58, 7/48 vs India, Mumbai, February 1980
4. 149 not out and 6/95 vs Australia, Leeds, July 1981
5. 138 and 5/59 vs New Zealand, Wellington, January 1984

The king of the all-round double, Ian Botham achieved it more than anyone else, an incredible five times in the space of just six years. The statistics are eye-watering.

In one Test, he scored a century and took 13 wickets. In another, he single-handedly turned the Ashes in 1981 with a whirlwind century and match-winning bowling. Botham’s peak from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s was one of relentless match-winning brilliance.

Brash, charismatic and fearless, he is arguably the ultimate example of a Test match all-rounder for England.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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