Most Test wickets in India
India is generally considered a land of batters as several legendary batters have come from the nation. However, the country has also produced some great bowlers who’ve left an indelible mark in international cricket with their stupendous performances. Over the years, numerous bowlers have made a name for themselves by taking wickets in India leaving the opposition bamboozled by their variations. On that note, let’s take a look at the top three bowlers with the most Test wickets in India:
3. Harbhajan Singh (265 wickets)
The off-spinner is one of the most legendary spinners to ever play the game as he has over 417 wickets to his name. Harbhajan made his debut way back in 1998 against Australia but failed to leave a mark in the first two years of his career. However, things turned drastically for the off-spinner during the historic 2001 India vs Australia Test series where he scalped 32 wickets in just three Tests including a first-ever hattrick by an Indian bowler in Tests.
Harbhajan picked 265 wickets in India from 55 matches at an average of 28.76 and an economy of 2.69 with best figures of 8/84 vs Australia in Chennai.
2. Anil Kumble (350 wickets)
Anil Kumble is counted among the greatest bowlers to have ever played the game being the fourth-highest wicket taker in Test history with 619 scalps to his name from 132 matches at an average of 29.65. The wrist-spinner became only the second bowler to pick all ten wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999.
Out of Kumble’s 619 wickets, 350 have come in India from 63 matches at an average of 24.88 with best figures of 10/74 vs Pakistan in 1999.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin (354 wickets)
Ever since his debut in 2011 against West Indies, Ravichandran Ashwin has made a rapid rise in international cricket and is now counted among the greatest spinners to have ever played the game. He recently became the second-fastest bowler to 500 wickets in the longest format reaching the landmark in 98 matches.
Ashwin has 354 out of his 507 wickets in India at a phenomenal average of 21.33 with best bowling figures of 7/59 against New Zealand in Indore in 2016.