In the world of cricket Indian cricket team has secured its position in the topmost ranks. Securing the 1st rank in Test, 2nd in T20, and 3rd in the ODI is not a piece of cake. Each and every Indian cricketer have contributed their blood and sweat to the matches and has taken the team to the position it is today. Indian bowlers have enlisted their names in many records and here is a list of the top 8 Indian players with the most international wickets.

1. Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble is not only the Indian bowler with the most international wickets but also the third bowler in the world with the most international wickets. In his entire cricket career, he made a lot of records. Some of the records are- he is the second cricketer to pick up 10 wickets in a single inning of the test match, he is also the holder of the most wickets in ODI, he bowled the highest number of balls (40850) in test matches in India; which is also the 2nd highest in the world. The legendary bowler also took 35 5-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls in test matches. He also showed his class in ODI as well where he took two 5-wicket hauls. He is definitely the most successful Indian bowler in the entire Indian cricket history. He picked up a total of 956 wickets in his international cricket career.

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2. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh is the best and the most successful off-spin bowler from India. As an off-spinner, he took the second-highest number of wickets. Some of the scariest best performances have been against Australia. He is one of the main reasons for Ricky Ponting's disappointing scores on Indian fields. The duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh destroyed the opposition quite a few times. His career was going smoothly until he started playing in the IPL. His skills in international matches were fading away due to the IPL. Since 2012 he was often replaced with other bowlers in the Indian team and in 2016, he played his last international match. He is the second Indian bowler with the most international wickets with 711 wickets.

3. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev is known worldwide for his exclusive achievements in cricket. He is the captain of the 1983 cricket team when India won the World Cup for the very first time. He is also undoubtedly India's best all-rounder and a fast bowler. He is the first cricketer to score more than 5000 runs and taking more than 400 wickets in test matches in the cricket history. His skill of swinging the ball accurately was something extraordinary to watch for. He is the third Indian cricketer with the most international centuries with 687 wickets.

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4. Ravichandran Ashwin

In recent times, Ravichandran Ashwin is undoubtedly the most reliable bowler of the Indian team. He has shown his expertise with the ball splendidly in all three formats of cricket. There is a lot to see from Ashwin in the coming World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand. Ashwin made his international debut in 2010 and since then he has proved himself a lot of times. In his cricket career of 11 years, he became the fourth Indian cricketer with the most international wickets with 6 11 wickets.

5. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan made his entry into the national team when India required him the most. After Srinath's retirement, India needed a good bowler, and in that very moment, Zaheer Khan helped the team with the new ball. He showed his caliber with the old white ball as well. He was definitely one of the biggest assets of the Indian bowling line up mainly in tests during his time. Since his debut in the 2000 ICC Knockout tournament, he has been hitting the headlines and contributed a lot of times for the nation. He retired on 15 October 2015 and in this span, he picked up a total of 610 wickets in all three formats of cricket.

Read also: Most international centuries by Indians

6. Javagal Srinath

The former Indian cricketer is regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers of the Indian cricket team. He is the only Indian fast bowler who played in 4 World cups. He is also the first Indian fast bowler who picked up more than 300 wickets in ODI matches. Srinath is also the second bowler from India to pick up 200 test wickets. His career was going great but he got rotator-cuff injury in 1997. He retired from the international cricket in November 2003. He picked up 551 wickets in his international cricket career.

7. Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma is a reliable Indian bowler who made his debut at a very young age. He made his Test debut when India tour to Bangladesh for test series and his ODI debut was against South Africa. In his first test against Australia, he created trouble for the opponent batsman because of his ability with his high-arm action. He was performing really well in the initial matches until 2009. His bad performances and injury led him out of the squad a few times. But again he returned to the test squad in 2013 and since then has been performing splendidly. In the test series against England in 2014, he played extraordinary figures 7/74 and was awarded the man of the match award. He is still a very consistent player of the Indian test team and since his debut to today he has picked up 426 international wickets.

8. Mohammad Shami

Mohammed Shami is one of the best fast bowlers on the Indian cricket team. After his international debut in early 2013 and since the very beginning he started contributing to the country. In the series of Sachin Tendulkar's farewell, he made his test debut and influenced everyone with his deliveries. On his very fast test series, he picked up 9 wickets against West Indies. Shami is the second fastest Indian bowler to pick up 50 ODI wickets. Since his debut, he picked up 340 wickets and definitely will add a lot to his list in the coming World Test Championship final.

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Let us know your favorites in the comments below.

Indian cricket history has witnessed many pace bowlers who posed a threat to the opposition with their skill and guile. Pacers has played a role in the rise of the sport’s popularity. Some bowlers became match winners, the go-to player for captains whenever the team needed wickets. Let's take a look at those pace bowlers who have the most international wickets for India.

Also Read: Most international runs in Cricket history

Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

1. Kapil Dev | 687 Wickets

The World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev has the most International wickets for India (pacer). He took a total of 687 wickets in 356 international appearances. These scalps have come at an average of 28.83, with best bowling figures of 9/83. Kapil Dev has a total of 20 four-wicket hauls, 24 fifers, and two ten-wicket hauls in the international arena. He also scored over 9,000 international runs with nine centuries.

2. Zaheer Khan | 597 Wickets

Zaheer Khan was the backbone of the 2000s Indian pace and has taken a total of 597 wickets at an average of 31.48. He has best bowling figures of 7/83. Zaheer has 23 four-fers, 12 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. The 2011 World Cup winner had the ability to swing the ball both ways and was quite deadly in the death overs.

3. Javagal Srinath | 551 Wickets

Javagal Srinath, who is fondly known as Mysore Express is considered among India's finest fast bowlers and has taken 551 international wickets for Team India at an average of 29.11. His best bowling figures are 8/86. He has 15 four-wicket hauls, 13 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. 

Also Read: The Greatest T20I Records That Will Stand the Test of Time

4. Mohammed Shami | 448 Wickets

Since making his debut in 2013, Mohammed Shami has made a total of 188 international appearances for India. He has been one of India’s finest pacers in the current era and has an amazing record across formats. Shami has taken a total of 448 wickets at an average of 26.06. His best bowling figures are 7/57. Shami has 22 four-wicket hauls and 11 five-wicket hauls for India. 

5. Jasprit Bumrah | 435* Wickets 

Jasprit Bumrah is the fifth Indian pacer who has the most international wickets. Bumrah is one of India’s most unique pacers who is known very well for his unorthodox action, incredible pace and the ability to take wickets under pressure in every format of the game. 

in 203* matches, Bumrah has taken 435 wickets at an average of 20.57, with the best bowling figures of 6/19. He has 14 five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls in his international career.

Also Read: Most international wickets for India

6. Ishant Sharma | 434 Wickets

Ishant Sharma played for India between 2007 and 2021 and he was part of the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning team. Ishant took 434 wickets in 199 international matches, which included 105 tests, and took 11 fifers, 16 four-wicket hauls, and one ten-wicket match haul. His best bowling figures are 7/74. 

Jasprit Bumrah became the ninth Indian bowler to pick up the most international wickets on Day 1 of the Boxing Day test match against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. He surpassed Ishant Sharma in this matter.

After getting a tap from 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas in the first session, Bumrah got the crucial wickets of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh to pull the momentum in India's favor in the final hour of the day's play.

Also Read: Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

In this article, we will take a look at the bowlers with the most international wickets for India.

Most international wickets for India

1# Anil Kumble | 953 Wickets

Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has picked the Most international wickets for India across formats in international cricket. Having made his international debut against England in a Test match in 1990, Kumble went on to claim 953 wickets for India in 401 matches at an average of 30.06.

The Bangalore-born cricketer ended his career with 619 Test wickets in 132 matches at an average of 29.65. He picked 35 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls. Kumble also played 269 One-Day International (ODI) matches between 1990 and 2007, bagging 334 wickets at an average of ​​30.83.

2# Ravichandran Ashwin | 765 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently took retirement from international cricket, has the second most wickets for India across formats. Ashwin ended his career with 765 wickets for India in 287 matches at an average of 25.80.

The second-highest wicket-taker for India Tests, Ashwin has tallied 537 scalps in 106 Tests followed by 156 wickets in ODIs and 72 wickets in the T20Is.

3# Harbhajan Singh | 707 Wickets

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh is third on the list of most wickets for India across formats. The quality off-spinner picked 707 wickets in 365 matches at an average of 32.59.

Harbhajan made his Test debut against Australia in 1998 and ended his career with 417 wickets in 103 matches in the longest format.  Fondly known as ‘The Turbantor’, Harbhajan also featured in 234 ODIs, claiming 265 wickets at an average of 33.47.

4# Kapil Dev | 687 Wickets

The World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev has the most International wickets for India among pacers. He took a total of 687 wickets in 356 international appearances. These scalps have come at an average of 28.83, with best bowling figures of 9/83. 

Kapil Dev has a total of 20 four-wicket hauls, 24 fifers, and two ten-wicket hauls in the international arena. He also scored over 9,000 international runs with nine centuries.

5# Zaheer Khan | 597 Wickets

Zaheer Khan was the backbone of the 2000s Indian pace and has taken a total of 597 wickets at an average of 31.48. He has best bowling figures of 7/83. Zaheer has 23 four-fers, 12 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. 

The 2011 World Cup winner had the ability to swing the ball both ways and was quite deadly in the death overs.

6# Ravindra Jadeja | 594* Wickets

Indian pace spearhead, Ravindra Jadeja is six wickets away from 600 international wickets and becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to reach the landmark. In 350* international matches, he has taken 594 wickets at an average of 29.08, with 17 five-wicket hauls to his name and best figures of 7/42.

Also Read: Most international runs in Cricket history

7# Javagal Srinath | 551 Wickets

Javagal Srinath, who is fondly known as Mysore Express is considered among India's finest fast bowlers and has taken 551 international wickets for Team India at an average of 29.11. His best bowling figures are 8/86. He has 15 four-wicket hauls, 13 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. 

8# Mohammed Shami | 448* Wickets

Since making his debut in 2013, Mohammed Shami has made a total of 188 international appearances for India. He has been one of India’s finest pacers in the current era and has an amazing record across formats. 

Shami has taken a total of 448 wickets at an average of 26.06. His best bowling figures are 7/57. Shami has 22 four-wicket hauls and 11 five-wicket hauls for India.

9# Jasprit Bumrah | 435* Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah is one of India’s most unique pacers who is known very well for his unorthodox action, incredible pace, and the ability to take wickets under pressure in every format of the game.

in 203* matches, Bumrah has taken 435 wickets at an average of 20.57, with the best bowling figures of 6/19. He has 14 five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls in his international career.

10# Ishant Sharma | 434 Wickets

Ishant Sharma played for India between 2007 and 2021 and he was part of the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning team. Ishant took 434 wickets in 199 international matches, which included 105 tests, and took 11 fifers, 16 four-wicket hauls, and one ten-wicket match haul. His best bowling figures are 7/74. 

Indian cricket has seen some of the most talented cricketers in the history of the sport. Indian bowlers, in particular, have always been a force to reckon with in international cricket. These Indian cricketers have contributed significantly to the success of Indian cricket over the years. They have taken a considerable number of wickets and have played an essential role in various victories for India. In this article, we will take a look at the bowlers who have taken the most wickets for Indians in international cricket.

1. Anil Kumble | 956 Wickets

Anil Kumble comes holds the first position in the list of most wickets for Indians in International cricket. He is considered one of India's greatest spin bowlers and one of the most successful bowlers in international cricket history. Kumble has played 132 Tests and 271 ODIs for India. He took a total of 956 wickets in his international career, including 619 wickets in Test cricket and 337 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This record has not been broken till date and there is no possibility that any bowler can break this record even further. Moreover, only two players have a record of scoring more than 500 wickets and more than 2000 runs in Test cricket. First Shane Warne of Australia and second Anil Kumble. Kumble's most memorable performance came in the 1999 Test against Pakistan in Delhi, where he took all ten wickets in an innings.

2. Harbhajan Singh | 711 Wickets

Harbhajan Singh is one of the most successful spinners in the history of Indian cricket. He has taken numerous wickets for India in all formats of the game. That's why he comes at the second position in the list of most wickets for Indians in international cricket. He represented India in 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. Harbhajan Singh took a total of 711 wickets in his international career, including 417 wickets in Test cricket, 269 wickets in ODI, and 25 plucks in T20 Internationals. One of the highlights of the Punjab cricketer's international career was his performance against Australia, where he took 32 wickets in three Tests including a maiden Test hat-trick for India. Moreover, he played a crucial role in India's victory in the 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 World Cup.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin | 688* Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin recorded history by claiming his 688th international wickets during the first session of Day 2 in Indore against Australia. The scalp puts him ahead of Kapil Dev in terms of most wickets for Indians in International cricket. And the off-spinner only finds himself behind the illustrious duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The off-spinner overtook Kapil Dev's elusive tally of 434 Test wickets during the home series against Sri Lanka in March 2022. He has since reached the 450 wicket mark as well and his current tally reads 466. Moreover, he has also claimed 151 ODI wickets and 72 T20I wickets over the course of his career.

4. Kapil Dev | 687 Wickets

Kapil Dev was an exceptional all-rounder and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced. Arguably the greatest cricketer in the history of Indian cricket, Kapil became the country's first World Cup winning captain when he led India to a World Cup win in 1983. He was a skillful and versatile bowler who could swing the ball both ways. Kapil Dev took a total of 687 wickets in his international career, including 434 wickets in Test cricket and 253 wickets in ODIs. Even today, Kapil remains in the list of top-10 leading wicket-takers in the world. He is next only to Ravichandran Ashwin as far as Indian bowlers are concerned. With his stellar performance, he made his place in the list of most wickets for Indians in International cricket.

5. Zaheer Khan | 610 Wickets

Zaheer Khan holds the fifth position in the list of most wickets for Indians in International cricket. He is considered one of the finest left-arm pacers to have played for India. Khan could swing the ball both ways and was also adept at bowling reverse swing. He played 92 Tests, 200 one-day internationals, and 17 Twenty20s for India and took a total of 610 wickets in his international career. His 311 Test wickets came at 32.94 while he picked up 282 scalps in ODIs. Moreover, He went on to lead the Indian attack in the 2011 World Cup. He also was the joint-top wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 scalps, helping his side clinch the title in the process.

Women's Cricket became very famous now in the country and abroad. There has been more than one legendary bowler in the women's cricket world who has done exceptionally well for their country. cricket is no longer limited to men only. Women are also showing their skills in this game. There are many women cricketers who bowl and bat very well. In this article, we will discuss the players who have the most international wickets for Indian women's.

Most international wickets for India women's:

1. Jhulan Goswami | 355 Wickets

Jhulan Goswami ended her international career as she finished with 355 wickets from 284 matches for India. That's why she comes in the first position on the list of most international wickets for Indian women's. In 2018, she became the first player to reach the milestone of 300 wickets in the women's internationals. Moreover, Jhulan has 255 ODI wickets, 44 wickets from 12 matches in Tests, and 56 wickets from 68 matches. She is also the leading wicket-taker in women's ODIs.

2. Neetu David | 182 Wickets

Neetu David comes after Goswami on the list of most international wickets for India women's. She was called the 'Lady Bishen Singh Bedi' because she was one of the best left-arm spinners at that time. Neetu started playing for India when the players weren't paid to play the game. In a career that spanned over 11 years, Neetu picked up 182 wickets from 107 international matches. She was the first Indian to pick up 100 ODI wickets. And throughout her career, Neetu was one of the most feared bowlers in the world.

3. Deepti Sharma | 182 Wickets

Bengal cricketer Deepti Sharma is currently ranked 4th among the top all-rounders in the ICC Cricket Rankings. Deepti Sharma is also the current third-highest individual scorer by a woman cricketer in ODIs (188 runs). Along with these, she has 181 International wickets in her bag so far. That's why she comes in the fourth position on the list of most international wickets for the Indian women's cricket team.

4. Poonam Yadav | 181 Wickets

Poonam Yadav, the talented leg-spinner of the Indian team picked up 181 international wickets so far in 131 matches. The leggie also holds the record for most consecutive four-wicket hauls in women's T20 Internationals. Poonam has also recorded the best economy by a bowler in women's T20Is. She has an economy of 5.75 in T20Is and 3.97 in ODIs. Poonam is one of the senior-most players of the Indian women's cricket team.

International cricket comprises matches of both limited and unlimited overs. T20 and ODI matches fall under limited whereas test match is the longest form of cricket. Meanwhile, taking wickets for his country in international cricket is what every bowler dream to do. A bowler can also win the game for his country just like the batsman by taking important wickets in crucial times. In this article, SportzPoint brings you the top 5 Indians with the most international wickets across formats.

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#1. Anil Kumble | 956 Wickets

Former Indian skipper and spinner Anil Kumble is the most international wicket-taker for India to date. Anil Kumble is a legend of the game especially in Test Cricket as he took 619 wickets in 236 innings in the format. Moreover, in ODI's Kumble also took 337 wickets with an average of 30.89. So, across formats, Anil Kumble took a total of 956 wickets in his career that leads him to the most successful bowler for India.

In Test cricket, Kumble has 35 fifers and eight 10-for in his long 19-year career. In ODI's Kumble took 2 fifers in his 265 innings. However, in combined formats, Anil Kumble is currently at the third spot on the list of most wickets in international cricket just behind Muralidharan(1347) and Warne(1001).

#2. Harbhajan Singh | 711 Wickets

Another Indian spinner comes on the list of most international wickets by Indian bowlers, Harbhajan Singh who took 711 wickets across formats. Harbhajan is formally known as 'Bhajji' played for India in 367 matches in his long 18 years career. In which he scalps 417, 269, and 25 wickets in Test, ODI's, and T20Is respectively. However, that counts a total of 711 wickets across formats with an average of 32.54 including 28 fifers and eight 10-for.

Harbhajan Singh last played for India back in the 2016 T20 Cricket World Cup against UAE at Dhaka. From then he is playing in IPL regularly and it's expected that his career has unofficially ended at the international level.

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#3. Kapil Dev | 687 Wickets

India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev comes at the third spot in this list of most international wickets by Indian bowlers. Kapil Dev played in 356 matches in which he took a total of 687 wickets and that leads him to the third most successful bowler for India across formats. The Indian pacer took 434 wickets with an average of 29.64 including 23 fifers and two 10-for.

In ODI's the former Indian skipper took 253 wickets in 221 innings with an impressive average of 27.45 including one fifer. Moreover, Kapil Dev has also scored 9033 runs in international cricket across formats.

#4. Ravichandran Ashwin | 618 Wickets

India's current spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has already grabbed 618 wickets in his international career. However, Ashwin comes at third in this list of most international wickets by Indian bowlers. The spinner played for India in 238 matches in which he scalps 618 wickets so far and will add more in the future. Ashwin took 413, 150, and 55 wickets so far in Test, ODI's, and T20I format respectively.

Moreover, Ashwin bowls with an impressive average of 24.56 including 30 fifers in the longest format of the game. In ODI's he took 150 wickets with an average of 32 and 55 wickets in T20I so far with a great average of 22.47.

Also Read: Most T20 Runs in Cricket History

#5. Zaheer Khan | 610 Wickets

The second Indian Pacer, Zaheer Khan in this list after the legend Kapil Dev who scalps 618 wickets. However, the left arm-pacer Zaheer Khan took 610 wickets in his 15-year career for India across formats. In which, 311 wickets came in Test cricket, 282 in ODI's, and 17 wickets in T20Is. Zaheer has played 309 matches for India at the international level in which he scalps those 610 wickets with an average of 31.14 including 12 fifers and one 10-for.

Zaheer Khan has so much underrated bowler for India as he was one of the reasons for India to list the 2011 World Cup. In the tournament, Zaheer took 21 wickets that leads India to the trophy after 28 long years.

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N.B: The stats are accurate as of 08/11/2021.