Top 5 Indian Test Bowlers of this decade
Indian cricket has been on a roll for the past couple of years, with its domination over the gentlemen's game increasing each day. The fact that the Indian team has occupied the numero uno status in Test cricket for more than 36 months now (after once being ranked as low as number 7) is a testimony to how good we are doing in the sport at present.
At the turn of this decade, India had suffered crushing series defeats at the hands of England and Australia wherein they were drubbed 4-0 on both the occasions. Then came a transition phase following the retirement of several stalwarts. But what followed next was even better than what the fans had dreamt of.
The emergence of new players like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane did more than just filling the void left behind by the departing seniors in the batting department while the bowling attack transformed into a force to be reckoned with. The resurgent Indian team was now ready to conquer the world.
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The credit for India’s rise to the top largely goes to the bowlers, who have forged a great camaraderie between them. The fast bowlers, in particular, have been quite a revelation in recent years. The bowling attack is arguably the best in world cricket at the moment, with every bowler a prospective match-winner for captain Kohli.
Here, we have a look at the Top 5 Indian Test bowlers of the decade:
#5 Jasprit Bumrah
Matches- 12 Wickets- 62 BBI- 6/27 Average- 19.24
Having made his Test debut just two years back, it wasn’t a straightforward decision to pick Jasprit Bumrah in this list. However, the impact which he has already had in the longest format left us with no other option but to include him.
Bumrah made his Test debut in South Africa last year and announced his arrival in Test cricket in style, picking up 14 wickets in 3 matches. He never looked like this was his debut Test series and was the cynosure of all eyes due to his wicket-taking abilities.
The 25-year-old then spearheaded the Indian pace attack in his second series in England. During India's tour Down Under, he was at his devastating best and consistently troubled the Aussie batsmen. He finished the series 21 wickets in 4 Tests and was instrumental in ensuring India registered their first-ever Test series victory in Australia.
He was named in the Indian squad for the Test series against South Africa but had to pull out of the series after suffering a stress fracture. He is recovering well and will be looking to get fit in time for the tour of New Zealand in February next year.
#4 Ravindra Jadeja
Matches- 48 Wickets- 211 BBI- 7/48 Average 24.64
Sir Jadeja's contribution to the Indian team's meteoric rise to the top is undeniable. He made his Test debut in 2012 and there has been no looking back for him since then. He is an indispensable part of the Indian unit, especially in home conditions.
He brings the X factor to the Indian unit and is a livewire on the field. Although his record in SENA countries hasn't been much to write home about. But then so hasn't Ashwin's. However, none of their performances in India can be undermined.
He is not a big turner of the ball but his immaculate line and length make him a potent option on any surface. With India slated to tour New Zealand in February next year, Jadeja will surely look to make an impact with the ball.
#3 Ishant Sharma
Matches- 77 Wickets- 238 BBI- 7/74 Average 32.28
Touted by many as a promising talent when he first burst onto the scene in 2007, Ishant Sharma’s rise in international cricket hasn’t been easy. It took him almost 8 years to transform into a leading Test bowler. Yes, he did have unquestionable talent but his record in the longest format was far from praiseworthy. He had a bowling average in the higher 30s and was more of a support bowler than a pace spearhead.
Just like the other pacers in the Indian team, Ishant Sharma’s performance in the last two years has been phenomenal. He has worked on, and perfected, his away swinging deliveries to right-handers, which has turned him into a lethal weapon in every condition.
Even naysayers would applaud his magical spell of 7/74 against England, also his best bowling figures in Test cricket, which handed India a famous victory at Lord’s.
In the last couple of years, he has been at his best without an iota of doubt and has been an integral part of the Indian Test team.
#2 Mohammed Shami
Matches- 47 Wickets- 175 BBI- 6/56 Average- 27.09
He is arguably the best bowler in the longest format of the game at the moment. Even the great Dale Steyn acknowledged the fact that on current form, Mohammed Shami is the best bowler in the world. He is one skiddy customer and tends to hurry batsmen into making mistakes with his extra pace and bounce.
Shami’s record in the 2nd innings of a Test match is simply exceptional. He is one of the greatest exponents of the reverse swing present in world cricket at the moment and is consistently troublesome to opposition batters.
Making his Test debut in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series, Shami has emerged as one of the top bowlers of this decade.
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin
Matches- 70 Wickets- 362 BBI- 7/59 Average- 25.36
There is no doubt about the fact that Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the finest spinners in world cricket going around. His record in the longest format is simply phenomenal.
However, you also cannot deny the fact that Ashwin’s record outside the subcontinent has been far from impressive. He hasn’t managed to make an impact in SENA countries and that is an area which he must improve upon as he approaches the next phase of his career.
When it comes to bowling in the subcontinent, Ravichandran Ashwin is a class apart. His 297 wickets in the subcontinental pitches make him the first choice spinner on turning tracks. In the last few years, Ashwin has developed some new variations and often puts them to use to outfox opposition batsmen.
As we approach another decade, Ashwin will be keen to improve his record outside the subcontinent and hoping to make an impact if he manages to make the final XI in New Zealand.