Grade A+ (4 Athletes): Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja
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.