South Africa vs India 2021-22: Most test wickets for India against South Africa
South Africa tour of India 2021-22 : 3 match Test series is going to start on December 26 as we take a look at the most Test wickets taken by Indian bowlers against the Proteas
Test matches are the ultimate format of the game. It tests your patience towards the game day by day. Moreover, it examines a player's game read and a captain's leadership skills each day. Meanwhile, whenever India faces South Africa in Tests many records have been created. Some of the records are created by batsmen and some of them are created by the bowlers. Just like Ashwin leading the charts of the bowlers with the most test wickets against SA.
India has announced their Test squad ahead of the South Africa tour starting on December 26. However, the tour consists of 3 Tests and 3 ODIs. In this article, we are going to discuss those Indian bowlers. who have taken the most Test wickets against the proteas.
Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has enlisted his name in this list of most test wickets by Indian bowlers against SA. Ishant Sharma's debut was back against Bangladesh in 2007. Since then he has scalped 311 wickets in 188 innings. Meanwhile, Ishant has bowled with an average of 32.41.
In the matches against South Africa, Ishant has taken 31 wickets in the 27 innings he bowled. However, he will miss this tour due to the finger injury that he has sustained in the 2nd test match against NZ.
Another Indian pacer Mohammed Shami comes in this list at number 3. Shamis Test debut was against West Indies back in 2013 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Since then Shami has scalped 195 test wickets with an average of 27.57.
In the matches against South Africa, Shami has taken 34 wickets in 16 innings that he bowled against the Proteas. He will fly with the team and will take a part in the test series against the African's.
India's spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has come at number 2 on this list of most test wickets by Indian bowlers against SA. Jadeja has always contributed to all three departments for his team. However, his debut was against England at the Vidharbha Cricket Stadium back in 2012. Since then Jadeja has taken 232 wickets including 2195 runs in his Test career. Meanwhile, Jadeja has averaged 33.77 with the bat and 24.85 with the bowl.
In the matches against South Africa, Jaddu has scalped 42 wickets in just 15 innings. Although, he will miss South Africa vs India 2021-22 tour this time due to a hamstring injury.
One of India's finest spinners in the format, Ravichandran Ashwin again tops this list just like the other ones. Ashwin has taken the most Test wickets against SA with 53 scalps under his name. Meanwhile, he will add some more on the upcoming SA tour. Ravi's test debut was against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi back in 2011. Since then he has scalped 427 test wickets with an average of 24.13. Moreover, Ashwin has also scored 2755 runs in 114 innings with the bat and maintains an average of 27.55.
However, in the matches against South Africa, Ashwin took 53 wickets in just 19 innings and topped our list. He will fly with the team and will take a part in the upcoming SA test series as he named in the squad.
Most wickets vs England in England for India in tests
Ishant Sharma has taken the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. Kapil Dev, Jasprit Bumrah and a few other Indian legends follow him on the list.
Indian bowlers, especially pacers, have always waited for the tour of England since it produces seam-friendly pitches, which help them get more wickets. From legends of yesteryears like Kapil to modern-day greats like Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, they have had success in England against England.
With another England tour forthcoming, we present you the list of bowlers with the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests.
1. Ishant Sharma | 48 Wickets
Ishant Sharma during his 5-wicket haul against England in 2018. Image | Cricshots
Ishant Sharma has the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He is widely known for his pace and wicket-taking abilities. He took 48 wickets in 14 matches, with an economy of 3.29.
Ishant's ability to make the ball come in from a difficult length has worked well on English conditions. Moreover, his short-ball strategy during the 2014 series at Lord's helped India register a famous win in England.
Kapil Dev in action against England in a test match. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The Indian legend, Kapil Dev, is the second-highest wicket-taker in the list with 43 wickets in 13 matches played. The former Indian captain has an exceptional record against England and dominated on their home soil throughout his career.
Kapil's incredible outswing always had the batters guessing and with his ability to clean up tails, also helped him get many wickets in those conditions.
Dev stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1979-1990
13
22
43
129
563.1
2.99
39.18
5/125
8/168
3. Jasprit Bumrah | 37 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah celebrating a wicket in a test match vs ENG in 2021. Image | ESPNcricinfo
One of the most successful bowlers of this era, Jasprit Bumrah, climbed up the ladder really fast in his career. His finest skillset and ability to generate steep bounce and challenging seam movement with his unorthodox bowling action, got him 37 wickets in just 8 matches (15 innings) so far, and there's more to come in the future.
Anil Kumble celebrating a successful dismissal during his test career for India. Image | YouTube
Anil Kumble holds the fourth place for most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He took 36 wickets in 10 matches, which is commendable for a spinner in such conditions.
Kumble was the senior-most bowler of the squad during that time, and was often described as bowling "faster" for a spinner, that too with high accuracy. His spin deliveries was considered to be as fast as a "jumbo jet."
Kumble's stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1990-2007
10
19
36
113
524.5
2.84
41.41
4/66
7/159
5. Bishan Singh Bedi | 35 Wickets
Bishan Singh Bedi in action for India during his test career. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Bishan Singh Bedi is the one name that stands out while discussing the wicket-taking rate against England. Bedi's incredible stat as a spinner in pace bowling friendly conditions like England sets him apart from the rest.
He took 35 wickets in 12 matches (18 innings), with an economy less than 3. Bedi also has the highest number of maidens among all the players in this list.
Singh Bedi stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1967-1979
12
18
35
133
524.5
2.54
38.08
6/226
6/111
6. Mohammed Shami | 34 Wickets
Mohammed Shami playing against England in a test match in 2022. Image | Instagram
Mohammad Shami has a brilliant overseas record, and only a few Indian bowlers can be at the level with him. He has 34 wickets in 12 matches to his name, with an economy of 3.56.
Shami consistently hits challenging lengths, which makes him a wicket-taker against England batters. His unfortunate absence in the upcoming Test squad against England therefore became a point of concern for the fans.
Shami's status vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
2014-2022
12
21
34
65
402.3
3.56
42.14
4/57
6/108
7. B. S. Chandrasekhar | 31 Wickets
B.S. Chandrashekhar in action for India during his test career. Image | Heritage Times
The wizard of leg spin, B.S. Chandrashekhar, makes his way up here with 31 wickets in 9 matches against England on their home soil. He had a phenomenal bowling figure in a match with 8 wickets (conceding 114 runs).
His most cherished performance against England came in the 1971 Oval Test, where he took 6 wickets for 38 runs, leading India to secure their first series victory on the English soil.
Zaheer Khan celebrating a successful dismissal in a match against England in 2011. Image | Firstpost
One of India's most celebrated pace bowlers, Zaheer Khan, holds the eighth position with 31 wickets in only 8 away matches vs England. The former left-arm pacer was one of the best for India during his era.
Zaheer had made legends like Alastair Cook his bunny with his lethal outswingers, going away from Cook. He was the best of his time, who significantly enhanced India's bowling strength.
Khan's stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
2002-2011
8
14
31
81
296.5
2.92
27.96
5/75
9/134
9. Ravindra Jadeja | 22 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja in action for India in a test match against England. Image | Instagram
Ravindra Jadeja, who is one of India's key all-rounders, holds the ninth position with 22 wickets in 10 matches. He is equally good with the bat as he is with spinning the ball for his nation.
Jadeja's ability to bowl long spells with variations, makes him a vital asset for the Indian team.
Vinoo Mankad in action for India during his test career. Image | Cricket Times
Vinoo Mankad stands out from an early era. The former all-rounder truly made his mark on England soil by taking 20 wickets in just 6 matches.
With his tight bowling and impeccable lengths, Mankad made the most out of the English conditions and proved why he was considered one of the best of his generation.
Is Mohammad Shami ready to spearhead India's pace attack in the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting June 20, 2025?
With concerns over his form and fitness following a lacklustre IPL 2025 and a long injury layoff, we dive deep into whether the star pacer should be included in the squad.
From his stellar 2023 ODI World Cup performance to recent struggles with pace and rhythm, we analyse Shami’s prospects and what he brings to the table. Plus, we explore potential alternatives like Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, and others who could step up if Shami’s fitness remains a concern.
With Jasprit Bumrah’s workload being managed, who else can India rely on to challenge England’s batsmen?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. And as the IPL 2025 is about to enter the Playoff stage, the level of competition goes significantly up.
The IPL Playoff is an intense phase of the tournament where players need to perform at their best. Thus, there’s constant pressure on batters and bowlers to give their 100 percent, as a tiny mistake can make or break the team’s campaign. Bowlers are under even more pressure as they are the ones who can help teams win the tournament.
Let's take a look at the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in IPL playoffs history.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has dismissed the batters 17 times in the IPL playoffs at an economy rate of 7.27. During his playing time in the IPL, he has 150 wickets under his name with a stellar economy of 7.08.
The veteran off-spinner has won IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
4. Ravindra Jadeja | 19 Wickets
Off-spinner Ravindra Jadeja has claimed 19 wickets in the IPL playoffs. He traps the bowler with his spin and is also quite handy with the bat. He has a brilliant average of 22.52 in 23 games. The tally includes an economy rate of 7.75.
Jadeja was part of Rajasthan Royal's title-winning side in the inaugural IPL season (2008). He also won the trophy in 2018, 2021, and 2023 with the Chennai Super Kings.
3. Mohit Sharma | 20 Wickets
Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma took 20 wickets in the IPL playoffs. He has been consistently providing breakthroughs when the team needed it most. Having represented CSK and GT in the playoffs, Mohit has taken 20 wickets from 10 games at 15.80. His tally includes an economy rate of 8.77 along with a fifer.
Mohit also played for the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 final.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin | 21 Wickets
With 21 wickets in the IPL playoffs, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a key bowler for Chennai Super Kings, delivering vital spin breakthroughs in pressure moments. Ashwin played for three franchises - CSK, Delhi Capitals, and RR - in the IPL playoffs.
Ashwin snapped up 21 wickets from 24 IPL playoff games at 30.23. Notably, Ashwin also has a maiden over in the playoffs. He won the title with CSK in 2010 and 2011. He bowled a match-winning spell (3/16) in the 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In IPL 2025, he has claimed seven wickets in the nine games he has featured in.
Former CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has taken the most wickets in the IPL playoffs, becoming a standout bowler for Chennai Super Kings. He was known for his death-over skills and crucial wickets in crunch situations. All-rounder Bravo was a mainstay seamer in Chennai Super Kings' pace attack for a decade.
Bravo starred in three of their title-winning campaigns (2011, 2018, and 2021). He also played the final with CSK in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2019. Bravo, who also played for Gujarat Lions, took 28 wickets from 19 playoff matches at 18.21.
Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and more, have dominated the WTC 2023-25 cycle. Discover the highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25 and get their stats and best bowling figures.
As the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 is getting closer to the grand final, it is now time to look back at the bowlers with standout performances. They have constantly troubled batsmen which led to their team's success.
Who do you think are the ones with most wickets? Take a look at the highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25.
Jasprit Bumrah | India
Jasprit Bumrah in the World Test Championship 2023-2025. Image | Instagram
Jasprit Bumrah had a remarkable campaign in WTC 2023-25 cycle and has taken the most number of wickets. He took 77 wickets in 15 matches, with an average of 15.09.
Bumrah recorded five 5-wicket hauls in the cycle and also had his best bowling figure of 6/45 in an innings against England.
Pat Cummins in the World Test Championship 2023-2025. Image | BBC
The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, has done wonders with the ball, by taking 73 wickets in 17 matches. He is the leading wicket taker for Australia and can also be on top by showcasing his wicket-taking skills in the WTC final against South Africa.
His best bowling performance in the tournament was a 6-wicket haul for 91 runs.
Mitchell Starc in the World Test Championship 2023-2025. Image | Instagram
Yet another Australian legend to feature in this list, who is just behind Cummins by one wicket. This fiery left-arm pacer have always been a key bowling of their team. He took 72 wickets in 18 matches total.
Mitchell Starc's best bowling figure in WTC 2023-25 includes a 6-wicket haul for 48 runs.
Mitchell Starc stats in WTC 2023-2025
Span
Matches
Innings
Balls
Overs
Maidens
Runs
Wickets
BBI
Avg
Economy
SR
2023-2025
18
35
3062
510.2
77
1964
72
6/48
27.27
3.84
42.52
Other players with 60+ wickets in WTC 2023-25
Seems like the Aussies and Indians have purely dominated the bowling sides and got most wickets up their sleeves.
Virat Kohli is known for having the safest hands and currently holds the record for the most catches in IPL history with 117 in 263 matches. Get ready to find out the other top fielders and their catching records.
"Catches win matches" is a well-known proverb that is crucial in terms of cricket. Having exceptional fielders who would get to any extent to grab match-winning catches is a blessing for teams.
IPL has witnessed some unbelievably good fielding efforts from players across the globe. Here's the ones that stood out for their consistency, having the most catches in IPL history.
Virat Kohli (117 catches)
Virat Kohli takes a stunning catch against KKR in IPL 2018. Image | Facebook
Virat Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world and is also considered as an expectional fielder for India. He always lits up the stadium with his energy and agility while fielding for his team.
Kohli has taken a total of 117 catches in 263 matches so far, which is the highest in IPL history. He is barely seen missing or letting the ball go off his hand.
His contributions in aspect of taking catches remains hard to beat, and hopefully there are more to come in the upcoming matches in IPL for RCB.
Suresh Raina dives to take a precious catch against Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2014. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Suresh Raina's contribution in IPL goes beyond his batting performance. He has taken 109 catches in 205 matches for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions.
Raina ended his IPL journey in 2021 and still his second place in the list of most catches stays unbeaten. He is among the top Indian fielders who took some match-winning catches.
Ravindra Jadeja (108 catches)
Ravindra Jadeja taking a magnificent catch close to the boundary line against KKR in IPL 2021. Image | Facebook
Ravindra Jadeja is one name that everyone anticipates when it comes to the category of fielding and catching. His quick reflexes and fielding abilities made him one of the best fielders in the history of not only IPL, but also Indian cricket.
Jadeja has taken 108 catches in 251 matches for CSK, GL, KTK, and RR. He consistently worked towards taking important wickets for the team and saving boundaries when needed.
Jadeja also played a crucial role in CSK's success over the years.
Kieron Pollard (103 catches)
Kieron Pollard takes a one-handed catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer in a match against Delhi in IPL 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Kieron Pollardhas served as a fielding pillar for Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career. He often changed the course of the game in favour of his team by taking difficult catches.
Pollard has taken 103 catches in 189 matches for MI, and some of them were too good to be true! His athleticism proved to be beneficial everytime he is on field, specially near the boundary.
Rohit Sharma takes a mid-air catch to dismiss Suresh Raina in IPL 2017. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Rohit Sharma is another Indian player having a catch count of more than hundred in IPL. He has taken 103 catches in 267 matches for MI and DCH. He has proved to be a dependable fielder for his team throughout.
Rohit's game awareness and experience played a crucial role in his fielding, which also aligned with the field setup and his captaincy. He is the 5th player to have 100+ catches in IPL history.