In October 2017, the ICC announced that there will be a Test League which would involve the top nine teams playing series over two years with the top two teams qualifying for a World Test Championship Final. The first ICC World Test Championship started with the 2019 Ashes series and finished with New Zealand lifting the trophy after defeating India in the final in June 2021. The second ICC World Test Championship was started on 4 August 2021 with the 5-match Pataudi Trophy and finished with the final between India & Australia. Australia won the World Test Championship 2021-23 after defeating India by 209 runs at the Oval. The 2023-25 WTC has already started with the Ashes in England. In this article, we'll talk about the bowlers who are leading the list of most wickets in the World Test Championship 2019-25 cycle.

Also Read: Top wicket-takers in the World Test Championship 2021-23

Leading wicket-takers of the World Test Championship 2019-25:

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker of the ICC World Test Championship. He picked up 56 wickets during the 2019-2021 WTC and 88 during the 2021-23. Lyon started the 2023-25 campaign by picking up 4 wickets in the 1st inning of the first test against England. He went on to take 3 wickets more in the second inning and now holding his ground with a total of 151 wickets.

Pat Cummins is only 2 wickets away from leveling Ashwin (132) in the 2nd position. Stuart Broad is 4th on the list with 115 wickets and he has to pick plenty of wickets if he wants to compete in the top two positions. India will start their World Test Championship 2023-25 campaign with a 2-match test series against West Indies in July.

Read Also: Most Runs in World Test Championship 2021-23

Most Wickets in the World Test Championship 2019-25 cycle (Top 10):

N.B: The records and stats are accurate as of 19/06/2022.

After winning the T20 World Cup last year, in July, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team in place of Rahul Dravid. Since then India have won seven Tests, lost 10 and drawn two under Gautam Gambhir coaching. Again all focus has shifted to him once again after the team's embarrassing defeat in the second Test by 408 runs under his coaching as South Africa completed a 2-0 clean sweep at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. India were bowled out for 140 runs in their second innings while chasing the 548-run target. After this, India endured its second home Test series defeat under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni: Comparison in Test cricket

Fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games

The team is in bad shape under Gambhir's coaching as India is going through a challenging transition phase, this was their fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games. Under Gambhir, India witnessed a new low last year when they lost a Test series for the first time in 12 years after New Zealand thrashed them 3-0. The defeat was also first for India at home under new skipper Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy role following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

India lost to Sri Lanka after 18 years

Last year, in July-August, the Indian team went on a tour of Sri Lanka. This was India's first series after Gautam Gambhir became the coach. After winning the T20 World Cup, India's youth team had reached Sri Lanka.

India then had to face 0-2 defeat in the ODI series. After 18 years, the Indian team had lost to Sri Lanka in a bilateral series.

Embarrassing defeat in front of New Zealand

When the New Zealand came to India last year, everyone must have felt in the beginning that by winning this series easily, we will present a strong claim for the World Test Championship final.

On the contrary, India lost 0-3 in this series. This was the first time since 2012 that India lost a Test series at home. New Zealand not only defeated India but also whitewashed them.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

Lost Border Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years

Team India had been winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy continuously for the last 10 years. They defeated the Kangaroos in four consecutive series. During this period, Australia was defeated twice at their own home. India also got the good fortune of defeating Australia in Gabba after almost 30 years.

Now this victory chariot of India has broken under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir. The last time Australia won the Test series against India was in the year 2014-15.

Let's take a look at India's result under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.

India's T20I record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 26, Won: 20, Lost: 3, NR: 3

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 T20Is): India won 2-0
• India vs Bangladesh (3 T20Is): India won by 3-0
• South Africa vs India (4 T20Is): India won by 3-1
• India vs England (5 T20Is): India won by 4-1
• Asia Cup 2025 (6 T20Is): India won Asia Cup by beating Pakistan in the final
• Australia vs India (5 T20Is): India won 2-1

India's ODI record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 14, Won: 9, Lost: 4, NR: 1

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 0-2
• India vs England (3 ODIs): India won 3-0
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (5 ODIs): India won CT 2025 by beating New Zealand in the final
• Australia vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 1-2

India's Test record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 18, Won: 7, Lost: 9, NR: 2

• India vs Bangladesh (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs New Zealand (3 Tests): India lost 0-3
• Australia vs India (5 Tests): India lost 1-3
• England vs India (5 Tests): Series Drawn by 2-2
• India vs West Indies (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs South Africa (2 Tests): India lost 0-2

Boundaries are tests are not at all frequent. Test cricket is a game of patience, dedication, and enthusiasm. Unlike other formats of cricket, cricketers avoid playing aggressively. Cricketers get an ample amount of time so they make sure to use it wisely without any hurry or wrong decisions. Therefore the boundaries are very rare in a test match. In a test match on an average of 10 sixes are hit by the cricketers. In many matches, the cricketers couldn't even score 1 six.

Let's check out the cricketers with the most sixes in test.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

Most Sixes in Test Cricket

1. Ben Stokes | 136

England Test captain Ben Stokes tops the list by being the cricketer with the most sixes in test, smashing 136 sixes in the longest format of the cricket. He surpassed England coach and former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum.

In 115 Test matches, Stokes scored a total of 7,032 runs at an average of 35.69 with 14 centuries and 35 fifties. His individual best score in Tests is 258. Known for hitting sixes under pressure, Stokes has consistently turned games around in key moments, like his iconic 2019 Ashes innings at Headingley.

2. Brendon McCullum | 107

Brendon McCullum comes second in this list. The former cricketer of New Zealand made his Test debut in 2004 and played 101 matches till his retirement in 2016. He smashed 107 sixes in the test cricket. Not only this, he became the cricketer to score the fastest test century (54 balls) in the Test history.

McCullum is considered as one of the fittest players of the modern time. No wonders why he became the first cricketer to appear in 100 consecutive test matches since his debut. Also he is the first Kiwi cricketer to score a triple century.

3. Adam Gilchrist | 100

Aggression was probably Gilchrist's biggest power. He could single-handedly destroy the opposition bowling lineup with his aggressive and attacking batting. Not to mention he is one of the greates wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of cricket. Both batting and wicket-keeping like a pro were something that glued the audience to the screen every time he was on the field.

Gilchrist was definitely the biggest game-changer and impactful player of the Australian Cricket team of his time. Since his Test debut in 1999, he played 96 matches till 2008 and smashed a total of 106 sixes.

4. Tim Southee | 98

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee ended his career with 98 sixes, the joint-fourth-most in Test cricket history, level with West Indies’ Chris Gayle. 

Southee has scored 2,245 runs in Tests since making his debut in 2008, including seven fifties. However, he is one of the finest bowlers New Zealand have produced, with 391 wickets, only behind Richard Hadlee, who has 431 scalps. He announced his retirement from all format of the cricket in 2024.

5. Chris Gayle | 98

Have you ever watched cricket if you haven't seen Gayle smashing sixes most effortlessly? The former Caribbean cricketer did not show mercy to the bowlers in any forms of cricket. Definition of Chris Gayle on the field means boundaries everywhere. He is known for being one of the best hitters ever. Gayle is the first cricketer to score a century in all three formats of cricket.

Gayle made his Test debut in 2008 and played till 2014. During this time he appeared in 103 test matches and scored 98 sixes.

Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja achieves 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket, becomes second Indian after Kapil Dev to do so

6. Jacques Kallis | 97

Hands down he is the greatest all-rounder of all time. Be it batting, or bowling, Kallis did everything effortlessly. Only four players have scored 5 consecutive Test centuries and he is one of them. Since his test debut in 1995, he played 166 test matches till 2013 and scored 97 sixes. He proved his skills every time and took the South African team out of trouble in the best way possible.

7. Rishabh Pant | 92

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant broke another record on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. He became the Indian batter with the most sixes in Test cricket, smashing 92 sixes in just 83 innings. He also crossed Virender Sehwag’s record of 91 sixes in 108 innings. 

The left-hander’s aggressive style has transformed India’s Test batting template, and this milestone further reinforces his status as one of the game’s most impactful stroke-makers. Since his debut in 2018, Pant scored 3,454 runs in 48 matches at an average of 44.28 with 8 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

8. Virender Sehwag | 91

In the early 2000s, the term "Aggression" justified the performance of Virender Sehwag on the field. The former Indian cricketer had some other connection with boundaries. He could stand on the pitch and smash the opponents effortlessly. Also, he scored runs at the fastest pace in Test matches. The highest score by an Indian player in Test cricket is 319 runs and the holder of this record is Virendra Sehwag. 

Out of his 23 test centuries he scored 150+ runs in 13 of them. He was often considered not suitable for Test for his aggressive approach on the field, but he proofed everyone wrong and became the eighth cricketer to smash most Test sixes. In 104 test matches, he scored 91 sixes.

9. Angelo Mathews | 90

Angelo Mathews has been a pillar in Sri Lanka’s middle order, mixing solid defense with sudden aggression. His six-hitting ability often helps shift momentum in his team’s favor. Having hit 90 sixes, Mathews uses his power wisely, especially when batting with the tail or consolidating after a collapse.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

10. Rohit Sharma | 88

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has cleared the ropes 88 times in Tests. While his white-ball reputation as a six-machine is well established, it took time for Rohit to settle into Test cricket. But once he started opening the batting in 2019, his Test career transformed.

Rohit combined elegance with power, and while his strike rate in Tests is quite naturally lower than in T20s or ODIs, his ability to launch spinners over midwicket or go aerial through cover remained intact right up until his retirement from the red-ball game. Rohit started his Test career in 2013 and scored 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 with 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. However, Rohit took retirement from the format in 2024.

Indian cricket has a rich history of producing some iconic batsmen over the different generations, which has been a big aspect. But there have been many Indian bowlers who have stamped their authority and have managed to write their names in history, especially in test cricket. In this article, we will talk about the Indians who have registered the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Getting five wickets in an innings is never easy, but some bowlers have made a habit of it.

The Indian record for most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket is held by Ravichandran Ashwin, who has 37 five-wicket hauls from 106 matches. Ashwin overtook India's highest-ever wicket-taker, Anil Kumble. The leg-spinner finished his career with 619 wickets and has 35 five-wicket hauls in 32 more Tests than Ashwin.

Ashwin recently announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024 after the end of the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane.

Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

1. Ravichandran Ashwin (2011-2024) | 37 Times

Ravichandran Ashwin, the modern-day spin maestro, tops the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler list with a staggering 37 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Since making his debut in 2011, Ashwin has emerged as India's premier spinner in Test cricket. Ashwin recently announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024 after the end of the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane.

The veteran Indian spinner has been a key reason for India's success and dominance at home. He is also the fastest Indian to reach 300, 400, and 500 test wickets. Ashwin has played 106 tests in his Test career and taken 537 wickets with a BBI of 7/59. Not to forget, he was also a handy batter in test cricket.

Also Read: Most 5 wicket hauls in Test Cricket

2. Anil Kumble (1990-2008) | 35 Times

Arguably one of the greatest spinners of all time, Anil Kumble is the second Indian bowler who has the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Anil Kumble started a career as a batsman and became one of the greatest bowlers in Indian cricket history.

Kumble certainly was one of the most iconic bowlers of all time and is still the second-fastest to reach a massive feat of 600 wickets in Test cricket. Without much turn, Kumble found success in all conditions. He played 132 Tests and took 619 wickets with the best bowling figures in an innings of 10/74. Kumble also took eight ten-wicket match hauls.

3. Harbhajan Singh (1998-2015) | 25 Times

Harbhajan Singh, fondly known as the 'Turbanator', is considered as one of India's finest off-spinners. He retired with two World Cup titles and over 700 international wickets. In test cricket, he became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in 2001 against Australia, which changed his career. Bhajji played 103 tests overall and took 417 wickets with 25 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket match hauls.

4. Kapil Dev (1978-1994) | 23 Times

A true legend of Indian cricket, Kapil Dev comes forth in the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler list who revolutionized the game with his dynamic all-round skills. Indian cricket history is incomplete without the contribution of Kapil Dev. He was the most impactful Indian cricketer of his era.

Be it his iconic 175* against Zimbabwe in the World Cup 1983 or leading India to glory, he was an exceptional performer. Kapil is the only cricketer in history to score more than 5000 runs and take 400+ wickets in test cricket. He played 131 tests, took 434 wickets with 23 five-fors, and also scored eight hundreds with the bat.

Also Read: Most Test wickets as captain

5. Jasprit Bumrah (2018-2025*) | 16 Times

Jasprit Bumrah is the latest entrant into India’s top five for most five-wicket hauls in Tests after his recent bowling master-class against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. The India fast bowler picked up 5/27 in 14 overs to bundle out South Africa for just 159 in 55 overs. Bumrah now sits jointly with former spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, who also claimed 16 five-fers.

Bumrah is also the second Indian pacer with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket after Kapil Dev. Bumrah went past Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan to achieve the milestone. Bumrah now has 16 five-wicket hauls for India in Test matches. Bumrah featured in 51 Tests so far, and took 231 wickets with a best of 6/27.

6. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar (1964-1979) | 16 Times

Bhagwath Chandrasekhar was India's one of the biggest match-winners in his time. India's success overseas was pretty rare, but Chandrasekhar made India believe that they could do that. 42 wickets in just five overseas test wins is just incredible. He played for India between 1964 and 1979, featured in 58 tests, and took 242 wickets with a best of 8/79. Chandrashekhar registered 16 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls in his career.

7. Ravindra Jadeja (2012-2025*) | 15 Times

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja picked up his 15th 5-wicket haul and went up to 7th in the list of most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket for India. His performance has hit a peak over the last few years, making him a very reliable cricketer in all conditions. Jadeja featured in 78 Tests so far, and took 319 wickets with a best of 7/42. He also became the second left-arm Indian spinner after Bishan Singh Bedi to record 8 five-wicket hauls in the longest format at home.

8. Bishan Singh Bedi (1966-1979) | 14 Times

Bishan Singh Bedi, the graceful left-arm spinner and former Indian captain, impressed cricket fans with his artistry and finesse, claiming 14 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Known for his impeccable control and flighted deliveries, Bedi misleaded batsmen with his ability to spin the ball both ways. His memorable performances against formidable opponents like Australia and the West Indies cemented his legacy as one of India's finest spinners.

9. Subhash Gupte (1951-1961) | 12 Times

Subhash Gupte was a kind of player who will always be remember for his great skills and magic of spin bowling. He was the front-line spinner of India in 1950s and early 60s. A little incident ended his career when he was only 32 and India lost a great spinner. Gupte debuted his Test career against England in 1952 and took 12 five-wicket hauls in his short career. He featured in 36 Tests, and took 149 wickets with a best of 9/102.

10. Zaheer Khan (2000-2014) | 11 Times

Zaheer Khan, the left-arm pace sensation, played a pivotal role in India's bowling resurgence during the 2000s, claiming 11 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver lethal yorkers, Zaheer troubled batsmen with his skill and guile. His memorable spells against top-quality opposition, both at home and abroad, played a crucial role in India's success in Test cricket. He featured in 92 Tests, and took 311 wickets with a best of 7/87.

Also Read: Fastest to 500 Test Wickets

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Defending champion India is the primary host country for the tournament. Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, had performed brilliantly in the last T20 World Cup played in 2024 under the hosting of USA and West Indies and won the title by defeating South Africa in the final. Suryakumar Yadav is now the T20I captain of Team India. He will aim to lead India to the T20 World Cup 2026. However, the schedule for the number of T20 matches Team India will play before the World Cup has been revealed.

While the full schedule of the T20 Men's World Cup 2026 is yet to be out, it is expected to begin in the first week of February with the final slated to be held in the first week of March. India have a total of ten T20I scheduled till the World Cup.

Also Read: Who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cups?

Indian cricket team's schedule till T20 World Cup 2026

India set to host South Africa

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Indian team will host South Africa for an all-format tour that has two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. Here is the schedule of the entire tour.

Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that tickets for the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 14 have been sold out! 🇮🇳🇿🇦🎟️✅#INDvSA #Tests #Kolkata #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/rIlwyWnOTJ

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) November 10, 2025

• 1st Test: November 14-18 - Kolkata
• 2nd Test: November 22-26 - Guwahati
• 1st ODI: November 30 - Ranchi
• 2nd ODI: December 3 - Raipur
• 3rd ODI: December 6 - Vizag
• 1st T20I: December 9: Cuttack
• 2nd T20I: December 11: New Chandigarh
• 3rd T20I: December 14: Dharamsala
• 4th T20I: December 17: Lucknow
• 5th T20I: December 19: Ahmedabad

Also Read: Best bowling spells in T20 World Cups

Limited-overs tour against New Zealand

Following the series against South Africa, the Indian team will play three ODIs and five T20Is against New Zealand on home soil.

• 1st ODI: January 11 - Vadodara
• 2nd ODI: January 14 - Rajkot
• 3rd ODI: January 18 - Indore
• 1st T20I: January 21 - Nagpur
• 2nd T20I: January 23 - Raipur
• 3rd T20I: January 25 - Guwahati
• 4th T20I: January 28 - Vizag
• 5th T20I: January 31 - Thiruvananthapuram

With 10 T20Is at home before the T20 World Cup 2026, India’s focus will be on fine-tuning combinations, testing young players, and ensuring the team is ready to defend its crown on home soil.

Cricket has evolved significantly, with the introduction of different formats challenging players to adapt their skills across Test cricket, ODIs and T20Is. Only a select few have managed to excel in all three, achieving the remarkable feat of taking over 100 wickets in each format. 

In this article, we will take a look at the bowlers to take 100 wickets in every format.

Also Read: Rising Stars Asia Cup: Past winners and results

Bowlers to take 100 wickets in every format

1. Tim Southee

• Test - 389
• ODI - 221
• T20I - 164

Tim Southee is the only bowler to take 100-plus wickets while featuring in 100-plus matches in each format. Southee picked up his 100th Test wicket against the West Indies on December 21, 2013 in Hamilton. A month later, the right-arm pacer added his 100th ODI scalp at the same venue against India. 

Southee was overall the third bowler to surpass 100 wickets in T20Is, achieving the feat against Pakistan on October 26, 2021, in Sharjah. With 774 wickets, his breakdown includes 389 in Tests, 221 in ODIs, and 164 in T20Is.

2. Lasith Malinga

• Test - 101
• ODI - 338
• T20I - 107

Lasith Malinga breached the 100-wicket landmark in all formats for the first time. Malinga took his 100th Test wicket in his 30th match in Colombo on August 4, 2010. He got Sachin Tendulkar as his landmark victim, though this match turned out to be his last in the format. Ten days later, the right-arm pacer clinched his 100th ODI scalp against New Zealand in Dambulla. He ended up with 338 wickets in 226 ODI matches for Sri Lanka.

Malinga picked up his 100th T20I wicket against the same opposition in Pallekele on September 6, 2019. He was in fact the first-ever bowler to take 100 wickets in the shortest format. Slinga Malinga bowed out with 107 scalps in 84 T20Is.

3. Shakib Al Hasan

• Test - 246
• ODI - 317
• T20I - 149

Shakib Al Hasan was the second bowler to join Malinga in this elite list. The Bangladesh all-rounder has been a key player for his team, contributing with the bat and ball. Shakib first reached the 100th wicket milestone in ODIs during the 2010 Asia Cup game against Pakistan on June 21 in Dambulla. Two years later, he repeated the feat in Test cricket, taking his 100th scalp against the West Indies on November 24, 2012 in Khulna.

Hasan was also the second bowler to bag 100 T20I wickets, reaching the landmark against Australia on August 9, 2021, in Mirpur. His bowling figures are impressive, with 712 wickets in total - 246 in Tests, 317 in ODIs, and 149 in T20Is.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

4. Shaheen Shah Afridi

• Test - 121
• ODI - 132
• T20I - 122

Shaheen Shah Afridi is the latest entrant in this list. The Pakistan pacer is rising quickly through the ranks, having made his debut across formats in 2018. Afridi has emerged as Pakistan’s lead bowler, picking up crucial wickets across formats. The left-arm pacer achieved the feat within one and a half years of taking his 100 scalps in Tests.

Afridi's 100th Test victim came in the first Test against Sri Lanka on July 16, 2023, in Galle. Three months later, Afridi took his 100th ODI wicket against Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31, 2023, during the ODI World Cup. He also became the fastest Pakistani to 100 ODI wickets, taking 51 matches to reach the landmark.

Afridi’s 100th T20I wicket came on December 10, 2024, during the first T20I against South Africa in Durban. That made him only the fourth bowler to take 100 wickets in each of the international cricket formats. Overall Afridi took 375 wickets - 121 in Tests, 132 in ODIs, and 122 in T20Is.