Just like for the batters scoring the most runs is the most important thing ,in the same vein for the bowlers picking up the most Wickets is the most important thing. And especially in the test format of the game, the bowlers take great pride in taking lots of wickets throughout their career and winning test matches for India. Since 1932 when India started playing test cricket there have been many great bowlers to Don the whites of the Indian cricket team.
Out of all the outstanding bowlers who have picked lots of wickets, the top 5 in this list are not only among the best test match bowlers in India but also the best in the world during their playing days as they completely outfoxed the batters from the opposition team. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Indian bowlers with most wickets in test cricket
1. Anil Kumble (619 Wickets):
He is the undisputed number 1 for the time being and being the biggest match winner for India in test cricket has shown it’s results in a big way. The best spinner to play from India and one of the top 3 in the history of this beautiful game. He has bowled in 236 innings for India and he has notched up 619 wickets which means more than 2 wickets an innings. During his illustrious test career he picked 5 wickets in an innings an astounding 35 times and 10 wickets in a match 8 Times. He is also only one of three bowlers in the history of test cricket to pick up 10 wickets in an innings. He was a once in a lifetime cricketer who gave his all for his nation and the nation misses him immensely.
2. Kapil Dev (434 Wickets):
We talked about the greatest spinner to ever play for India just before this and now is the time to talk about the greatest all round cricketer to play for India and who revolutionized fast bowling as looking at him more and more youngsters wanted to become fast bowlers and represent India. Kapil Dev bowled in 227 innings for India and picked up 434 wickets and he never got injured and played so long and so consistently which is remarkable. 23 times in his test career he picked up 5 wickets in an innings and Twice he picked up 10 wickets in a test match which is amazing for a fast bowler. One of the most special cricketers to ever play for India and the fans were lucky that Kapil Dev was born in India.
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3. Ravichandran Ashwin (430 Wickets and counting):
He is the only one in this list that can climb further in this list and looking at the pace in which he is picking up the wickets, it looks like he will become the number 2 on this list in a few months. The remarkable thing is that Ravichandran Ashwin has only bowled in 158 test innings thus far and still picked up so many wickets and if he keeps up his fitness then he can even catch Anil Kumble. During his astounding bowling career till now he has picked up 5 wickets in an innings 30 times and 7 times he has notched up 10 wickets in a test match. The fans would be hoping that he picks up more wickets going ahead in his career as well.
4. Harbhajan Singh (417 Wickets):
One of the best off spinners to ever play the game of cricket and he was an out and out match winner and his pairing with Anil Kumble wreaked havoc around the world for over a decade. He has picked up lots of wickets in every condition and that was his best quality. For an impressive 25 times in his career he picked up 5 wickets in an innings and he picked up 10 wickets in a test match for 5 times. His services will always be remembered by every Indian cricket fan.
5. Ishant Sharma (311 Wickets and counting):
Being only the second fast bowler to be on this illustrious list speaks a lot about how talented and great this fast bowler has been for almost 15 years playing test cricket for India. He debuted in Australia and no one can forget how he terrified Ricky Ponting in that tour. He is still going strong after playing so much which speaks to his determination towards the nation. He has picked up 5 wickets in an innings 11 times and Once he has notched up 10 wickets in a test match. The fans hope that he keeps going strong for as long as he can.
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