The Indian Cricket Team is widely regarded as one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport. With remarkable achievements across all three formats, they have claimed two Cricket World Cups (50 overs), two Men’s T20 World Cups, and five ICC Test Maces.
India has produced some of the finest batsmen the game has ever seen, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar, and Rahul Dravid. Their bowlers, often overshadowed, have also played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Over the years, India has made significant strides in fast bowling, especially in the 21st century, helping them secure victories outside of Asia on a regular basis. While once known for their world-class spinners, India now boasts a formidable pace attack as well.
Let’s take a look at India’s highest wicket-takers across the three formats – Test, ODI, and T20I cricket.
1. Test Cricket – Anil Kumble (619 wickets)
Anil Kumble holds the record for the most Test wickets by an Indian bowler. Making his debut in 1990, Kumble quickly became a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack. Known for his variations, he claimed 619 wickets in 132 Test matches at an average of 29.65. His remarkable achievement includes taking 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan in 1999 in Delhi, making him the first and only Indian to achieve this feat in Test cricket. Additionally, Kumble has 35 five-wicket hauls in Tests. He was also appointed as India’s Test captain in 2007.
2. ODI Cricket – Anil Kumble (334 wickets)
Anil Kumble is also India’s highest wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals, with 334 wickets from 269 matches at an average of 30. He played a crucial role in India’s journey to the semi-finals of the 1996 Cricket World Cup, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Despite his success, Kumble was never part of a World Cup-winning team, with his final ODI appearance coming in the 2007 World Cup against Bermuda.
1. T20I Cricket – Arshdeep Singh (99 wickets)
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has surged ahead of seasoned bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. Currently standing at 99 wickets in 63 T20Is, Arshdeep has impressed with his consistency, boasting an average of 18.3. He played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, contributing significantly to India’s title-winning campaign.