Most five-wickets hauls in Tests by Indians outside Asia
In the domain of cricket, assessing Asian players often hinges on their performance beyond their home turfs, where conditions present a tougher challenge for both batters and bowlers. Notably, fast bowlers relish these demanding settings, leveraging their skills to manoeuvre the ball.
India’s fast bowling contingent has undergone a remarkable evolution, particularly in Test cricket, over recent years. Spearheaded by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and the emerging Mohammed Siraj, India have showcased exceptional performance on foreign soil.
Examining their performances, here’s an insight into the top three Indian bowlers who have clinched the most five-wicket hauls outside the Asian subcontinent:
3. Zaheer Khan, BS Bedi, Harbhajan Singh – 6
Renowned for his left-arm seam bowling, Zaheer Khan carved a legacy as one of India’s most formidable bowlers in cricket history. Across formats, he stood out as India’s ace, securing eight five-wicket hauls outside Asia, placing him fourth on the list. Notably, while many struggled in New Zealand conditions, his talent shone with four five-wicket hauls on New Zealand soil, a testament to his rare mastery in those settings.
Amidst India’s lacklustre performance, Bishan Singh Bedi emerged as a standout, claiming a remarkable six-wicket haul against England in 1974 at Lords. His figures of 6/226 came as England amassed a formidable 629 runs in their first innings. Across his career, the seasoned spinner boasted six five-wicket hauls outside the Asian subcontinent, showcasing his might on foreign soil.
Throughout his career, Harbhajan Singh faced criticism for his perceived inability to deliver match-winning performances overseas. Despite proving his mettle as a match-winner on home turf, sceptics questioned his skills beyond the subcontinent. Nonetheless, before bidding adieu to his illustrious career, the off-spinner silenced some doubts by securing six five-wicket hauls outside the Asian subcontinent, leaving a mark in foreign conditions.
2. Jasprit Bumrah, BS Chandrashekhar, Anil Kumble, Ishant Sharma – 8
Debuting in South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah, known for his distinctive bowling style, made a striking entry into Test cricket, claiming four wickets in his maiden match. Since then, he emerged as a potent force in India’s bowling arsenal. His impact abroad was evident as he secured eight five-wicket hauls outside the Asian subcontinent.
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, the esteemed former Indian leg-spinner, had a distinguished career spanning from 1964 to 1979, leaving an indelible mark in away matches. His presence is notable, securing eight five-wicket hauls, including six fifers in SENA countries. Among Indian spinners in SENA nations, this tally stands joint-highest.
Anil Kumble, India’s eminent leg-spin maestro, stands as the foremost spinner in the top three, boasting eight five-wicket hauls outside Asian nations. His performance extended globally, marking him not only among India’s finest but a standout in the cricketing world. Remarkably, his dominance shone brightest in Australia, where four of his eight five-wicket hauls were secured, underlining his exceptional success on Australian soil.
Before the second Test against the West Indies in Kingston back in 2019, Ishant Sharma equalled Kapil Dev’s record for most wickets by an Indian bowler outside Asia, holding the second spot. Surpassing Kapil Dev in the same number of matches, he secured a total of eight five-wicket hauls outside the Asian subcontinent. His contributions were notable, especially in England and Australia, marking him as a key Indian pacer in SENA countries.
1. Kapil Dev – 9
Kapil Dev, the revered captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, thrived in away matches, particularly in SENA countries, showcasing resilience when his team needed it most. His enduring legacy includes a remarkable record: securing nine five-wicket hauls in these challenging conditions. His fondness for playing in England and Australia stemmed from this skillset, solidifying his reputation as a formidable force in cricket’s toughest arenas.
