5 Indian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket ft. Ravichandran Ashwin
India is a cricket-crazy country known for its obsession with batting superstars. From Sunil Gavaskar to Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, the nation has produced a number of cricket legends, who have shone on the grand stage with the willow in hand.
At the same time, the country has also witnessed a number of incredible bowlers making their name in the game. Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh were a couple of India's bowling stars in the pre-independence era. The famous spin quartet made its mark in the 60s and 70s before Haryana Hurricane Kapil Dev revolutionized the art of fast bowling in India.
Over the last few decades, the likes of Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have had a huge impact with the ball for Team India. A number of them feature on the list of Indian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. Here's a look.
#5 Zaheer Khan
Former left-arm pacer Zaheer comes in at No. 5 on the list of Indian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. Zaheer featured in 309 matches (379 innings) across the three formats of the game, claiming 610 wickets at an average of 31.14, with 12 five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul.
The 45-year-old ended his Test career with 92 matches in which he claimed 311 scalps at an average of 32.94, with 11 five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul. The former left-armer impressed in ODIs too, picking up 282 wickets in 200 matches at an average of 29.43, with one five-fer. In T20Is, Zaheer played 17 matches, claimed 17 wickets at an average of 26.35 and an economy rate of 7.63.
#4 Kapil Dev
Former India captain, and undoubtedly the greatest all-rounder India has ever produced, Kapil is fourth on the list of Indian bowlers who have claimed the most number of wickets in international cricket. The 65-year-old played 356 matches (448 innings) in his international career, claiming 687 wickets at an average of 28.83, with 24 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls.
Kapil, as is famously known to most fans, played 131 Tests for India, claiming a then record 434 wickets at an average of 29.64, with 23 five-fers and two ten-wicket match hauls. In ODIs, he represented India in 225 matches and claimed 253 wickets at an average of 27.45, with one five-fer. Kapil never played T20Is because his career ended long before the format came into existence.
#3 Harbhajan Singh
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh occupies the third position among the list of Indian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. The Turbanator played 367 matches (442 innings) across the three formats of the game, claiming 711 wickets at an average of 32.54, with 28 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls.
The 44-year-old played 103 Tests in which he picked up 417 wickets at an average of 32.46, with 25 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls. Harbhajan also featured in 236 ODIs in which he claimed 269 scalps at an average of 33.35, which included three five-fers. The former off-spinner also played 28 T20Is, picking up 25 wickets at an average of 25.32 and an economy rate of 6.20.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Veteran off-spinner Ashwin is at No. 2 on the illustrious list of Indian bowlers with the most number of wickets in international cricket. In 281 matches so far (368 innings), he has picked up 744 wickets at an average of 25.68, with 36 five-fers and eight ten-wicket match hauls. The 37-year-old is an active cricketer and will definitely add a few more scalps to his impressive tally.
Ashwin has played exactly 100 Tests so far, picking up 516 wickets at an average of 23.75, with 36 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls. He has also featured in 116 ODIs in which he has claimed 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with a best of 4-25. In T20Is, he has played 65 games and has picked up 72 wickets at an average of 23.22 and an economy rate of 6.90, with a best of 4-8.
#1 Anil Kumble
Former captain and leg-spin legend Kumble tops the list of Indian bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. In 403 matches (501 innings), he picked up a whopping 956 wickets at an average of 30.09, which included 37 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls.
The 53-year-old was part of 132 Tests, claiming 619 wickets at an average of 29.65, with 35 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls. In the ODI format, he featured in 271 matches and picked up 337 wickets at an average of 30.89, with two five-fers. Kumble did not play any T20I matches for Team India.