The Indian cricket team has been fortunate to produce some legendary bowlers who have made their mark at the international level. India’s golden era in bowling began with the iconic spin quartet during the captaincy of Bishan Singh Bedi and Ajit Wadekar. The formidable foursome—Bishan Singh Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna, and S. Venkataraghavan—troubled batters across the globe, delivering match-winning performances not only on Indian pitches but also in challenging overseas conditions.
Legends like Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Harbhajan Singh have served the team with distinction, leaving behind remarkable legacies and finishing their careers among India’s top wicket-takers.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five Indian bowlers with the most wickets in Test cricket.
5. Ravindra Jadeja – 323 Wickets
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stands as India’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. In 2024, he became only the seventh Indian bowler to surpass the 300-wicket milestone in Tests. He overtook both Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, who each claimed 311 wickets, to secure his place in the top five.
So far, Jadeja has played 80 Test matches, claiming 323 wickets, including 15 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls — a testament to his consistency and impact with the ball.
4. Harbhajan Singh – 417 Wickets
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh formed a formidable spin duo with Anil Kumble during his playing days. Known for his early start and fiery spells, Harbhajan made a name for himself with several match-winning performances on the international stage.
Across 103 Test matches, he scalped 417 wickets. Debuting against Australia in 1998, he played his final Test in 2015 against Sri Lanka, leaving behind a legacy of aggressive and passionate spin bowling.
3. Kapil Dev – 434 Wickets
Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev remains India’s most successful pace bowler in Test cricket. A World Cup-winning captain and one of the game’s greats, Kapil led the Indian pace attack for years.
In a career spanning 131 Test matches, he took 434 wickets. When he retired, he held the record for the most Test wickets worldwide. Kapil made his debut against Pakistan in 1978 and played his last Test in 1994 against New Zealand.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 537 Wickets
One of India’s modern-day greats, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a match-winner in the longest format. A master of variations and cricketing intellect, Ashwin played 106 Test matches, collecting 537 wickets during his career.
He played a pivotal role in India’s many home victories with his dominant performances. Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies in Delhi and retired in December 2024.
1. Anil Kumble – 619 Wickets
The legendary Anil Kumble is India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. In a stellar career that spanned 18 years, the leg-spinner picked up 619 wickets in 132 matches, placing him fourth on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers globally — behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and James Anderson.
Kumble holds the record for the best bowling figures by an Indian in Test cricket — a sensational 10/74 against Pakistan in Delhi, 1999. He debuted in 1990 against England and played his final Test in 2008 against Australia.