The predominance of a bowler can change the game in an over or two. Their main objectives are either to take wickets or decrease the run rate. At many times cricket lovers have witnessed that the matches that have gone out of hand, was reversed completely because of brilliant bowling. The contribution of bowlers is often overshadowed by the performance of batsmen. But the truth is a team's complete performance includes an immense contribution from the bowlers as well as the other members of the team. Since the time Ashwin debuted, here are the top 5 bowlers with the most international wickets.

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1. Ravichandran Ashwin

The Indian off-spinner is the number 1 bowler with the most international wickets at this moment. The boy from Chennai was selected in the team as a replacement of Harbhajan Singh against South Africa in 2010. He showed his excellence and consistency in the early IPL matches and from there he was selected in the Indian squad for a tour to Zimbabwe. His journey started from the T20s to ODIs and soon to the Indian Test squad. In his maiden Test, he took nine wickets which are the second-highest by an Indian debutant. He took advantage of all the opportunities provided to him and steadily became an integral part of the Indian team. His entire career took a turn for good when after his phenomenal performance in the Border Gavaskar trophy in 2013 where he became the Man of the Series. Since then there is no looking back for him. And still, he's continuing his reign and picking up wickets at the crucial moments. He made his debut in 2010 and since then he literally destructed the opponent's batting line-up by picking up 611 wickets.

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2. James Anderson

James Anderson, the English fast bowler, is one of the best swing bowlers at the present moment. The dexterous English bowler did not have a fruitful career like this since his initial years. He made his debut in the early 2000s. He joined the ODI team in 2002 to the pace team in 2003 and the T20 team in 2007. Anderson played phenomenally in the 2003 World Cup against Pakistan but after that, he could not continue his performance up to the mark. He had a rough patch in his cricketing career till 2007 but after that, he plays on another momentum. His performance in test cricket beyond the other two formats. His ability to swing the ball especially on the home grounds has helped him in many matches. Anderson is the first English bowler to take 500 test wickets. He reached this prestigious momentum of his life in September 2017. Though all his performances were not preferable, rather horrible, when he played well, he literally created destruction. One of the most memorable performances of his life is the 11 wicket haul against Pakistan. In many tournaments, he has single-handedly helped the England team to win the match. And since Ashwin's debut, he took 559 wickets in all three forms of cricket.

3. Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad is the next bowler from England to enlist his name in this list of bowlers with the most international wickets. He made his debut in the England ODI and T20 squad in 2006 and his test debut in 2007. The partnership of James Anderson and Stuart Broad has brought fortune for the England team quite a few times. One of the fun parts about his career is that he started playing initially as an opening batsman but stick with bowling because he did not want to stand on all the time. Till now his career has been pretty great except when Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in his over in the 2007 T20 World Cup. But he overcame that phase and played phenomenally yet once again. On his 100th Test, he took 5 wickets in a single spell 7 times. One of his most remarkable performances ever is when he took 8 wickets for 15 against Australia in the Ashes test, 2015. All the Australian batsmen were bowled out in 18.3 overs and they were able to score only 60. He took a total of 548 wickets since Ashwin's debut in all three formats.

4. Tim Southee

The bowler from the New Zealand cricket team made his international debut when he was only 19 years. He was added to the Test squad against the New Zealand squad when Kylie Mills had to rule out due to injury. The seventh youngest test debutant of New Zealand started his Test career with a bang. He took 5 wickets for 55 runs and then scored 77 runs in 40 balls which included 9 sixes. He also made his T20 and ODI debut in the same year. The best skills of Southee are his peace and outswing. One of his many unforgetful performances is when he took 7 wickets for 64 in India. Another of the best performances of his ODI career is when he destroyed the English batting lineup and took 7 wickets for 33 runs in the 2015 world cup. Along with Trent Boult, they made the world's biggest partnership with the new ball. In all three formats, he took 519 wickets since Ashwin's debut.

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5. Trent Boult

The fifth bowler with the most international wickets is Trent Boult from New Zealand. The cricketer made his test debut in 2011, Odi debut in 2012, and T20 debut in 2013. One of the biggest assets of the New Zealand bowling lineup had a rough patch in his career due to injuries and bad performances. His techniques with the white ball were not that great but his kill with the red ball was absolutely great. In his 29th match, he took 100 wickets and within 2015 he became the bowler with the most wickets from New Zealand. He started having a great career since the 2015 World Cup and his skills in limited-overs were appreciated. He played wonderfully once again in the 2019 World Cup. Some of his important and crucial moments of the 2019 World Cup were when he took a hat-trick against Australia, the wicket of Virat Kohli in the semifinal, bowled in the last over, and the super-over in the finals against England. He took 496 wickets in all three formats since Ashwin's debut.

So the list of player with most international wickets since Ashwin's debut looks like this-

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. 

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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. 

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.

As every year passes by, we get to see spectacular performances from many cricketers. We get to witness the rise of such cricketers at the international levels. Bowling with the longest strides and picking up wickets at the crucial moments makes everything worth it for the pacers. Let's take a look at the top five pacers with the most International wickets since 2018.

1. Pat Cummins

It is a mandate for Pat Cummins to be on this list as he has been playing exceptionally and consistently for the past couple of years. His records of wicket hauls are proof and shreds of evidence of his expertise and competency. His contribution is indeed one of the key reasons for the success of Australia's bowling lineup. The top wicket-taker since 2018 has picked up 196 wickets in 70 matches including 5 fifers with an average of 22.34 and strike rate of 39.5. He has bowled 1290.5 overs within an economy of 3.39. Cummins has also picked up a total of 10 wickets in a single match.

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2. Tim Southee

Every cricket fanatic has witnessed the rise of Tim Southee since 2015. The pacer from New Zealand has shown incredible since the beginning of his career which made him a permanent member of the team in all three formats. Pacing the ball depending on the surface and the circumstances is one of his special skills and has helped him to grow so much. The Kiwi bowler is the 3rd bowler from New Zealand to have 300 test wickets in his name. In 82 matches since 2018, he has picked up 178 wickets including 7 fifers by bowling in 1155.3 overs.

3. Trent Boult

The left-handed swing bowler of New Zealand also happens to be on this list of most International wickets by pacers in 2018. The Kiwi bowler has molded his accuracy perfectly when it comes to lengths while bowling. He is one of the pivotal members of the New Zealand cricket team. Also, a lot of credit for New Zealand's success in the past few years goes to him. Since 2018, Trent Boult has featured in 74 matches and picked up 177 wickets including 15 fifers with an average of 26.17 and a strike rate of 40.6.

4. Mitchell Starc

The left-arm pacer of the Australian Cricket team is the second bowler on this list of most International wickets by pacers since 2018. His performances have evolved in the past few years and the changes that he made have helped him in bowling accurately. One of his best performances in recent times is the 2019 ICC World Cup. He ended the world cup with the highest wickets in his name. He achieved this feat twice in the 2015 and the 2019 World Cup. Starc has been a part of 72 matches for Australia since 2018 and has picked up 170 wickets. Also, he took an 8-wicket haul 5 times. Currently, he has an average of 27.4 with a strike rate of 39. He has also picked up a total of 10 wickets in a single match.

5. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most important bowlers and biggest assets of the Indian cricket team. The death-over specialist has mastered the craft of yorkers and hence ends up picking up wickets at the crucial moments in most of the matches. He has shown his abilities by playing with both red and white balls. His consistent performances have helped him to establish himself as a permanent member of the Indian team in all formats of cricket. Since 2018, Bumrah has picked up 158 wickets in 75 international matches including 5 fifers. He has an average of 22.49 with a strike rate of 42.6 and an economy of 3.44.

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