Top 5 Indian Test bowlers of all time

Going by the way he has been bowling, Ashwin may make it to this list in the years to come

India’s cricketing culture over the years has primarily been batting-centric and most of the country’s heroes in the sport have been men wielding the bat. The likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag among others have been worshipped as gods by the Indian fans.

In contrast, though, the Asian nation has not been as gifted in the bowling department compared some of the other top teams in world cricket. However, there have been a few bowlers who performed brilliantly and managed to create a space for themselves among the greats of Indian cricket.

Also Read: 7 changes which can make ODI cricket more interesting

What made them stand out from the rest is the fact that they not only succeeded in taking wickets but did so in all types of conditions. Another thing that must also be considered is their contribution in matches that India won or drew.

Here’s a look at the top 5 Indian Test bowlers of all time:


5. BS Chandrasekhar

Chandrasekhar was one of the hardest bowlers to face for the batsmen

It would not be wrong to state that former Indian leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar was a ‘one of a kind’ bowler. His unique style of bowling can be credited almost entirely to a handicap that he developed during childhood courtesy of a polio attack which left his right arm withered.

Chandrasekhar had a 15-year long career for India during which he played 58 Tests and claimed 242 wickets at an average of just a little under 30. While the Mysore-born cricketer was a deadly force to reckon with in home conditions, he was equally adept on tracks outside India which barely helped spinners.

Also Read: 5 great Indian cricketers who never captained the country

The leggie grabbed 100 wickets in 26 away Tests at an impressive average of 32.66, which was only slightly higher than his figures of 27.69 at home. He claimed 159 out of his career tally of 242 wickets in matches which the Indians won or managed to draw, his average being as low as 19.27 in the victories.

4. Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi was as economical a bowler as they come

Bishan Singh Bedi was easily among the best spin bowlers of his time and helped India achieve a considerable amount of Test success. Known most for his miserly bowling and ability to flight the ball, Bedi proved to be a handful in varying conditions all over the cricketing world.

In a career which saw him play 67 Tests, the left-arm spinner picked up 266 wickets at an average of 28.71 and a total of 14 five-wicket inning hauls. His record in matches won by India was quite phenomenal as he claimed 97 wickets in 17 Tests at a terrific average of slightly under 18.

Also Read: India's captains during landmark Tests for the team

Bedi enjoyed bowling in overseas conditions, particularly on the pitches in Australia and New Zealand where he averaged 27.51 and 24.65 respectively. His overall away record also makes good reading as he took 129 wickets at 33.72 in 37 Test matches.

3. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan was a shrewd operator with the ball in hand

Perhaps one of the most intelligent bowlers of the modern era, Zaheer Khan led the Indian pace attack in Tests for more than a decade. Although Zaheer did take some time coming to terms with the longest format of the game, but once he managed to settle down there was no stopping him.

A major reason why the Mumbai pacer catapults other Indian bowling stalwarts to occupy the third position in this list is his bowling record in away games, especially in countries like England and New Zealand. In 54 Tests outside India, he bagged 207 wickets at a very decent average of 31.47 including 8 five-wicket hauls.

Also Read: Zaheer Khan honoured with life-time membership from MCC

Comparatively, the left-armer’s figures at home were slightly inferior with 104 wickets in 38 matches at an average of just under 36. During his career, Zaheer Khan also established his credentials as a match-winner claiming 149 out of his 311 wickets in Tests which the Indians won.

2. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev was a master of the outswinger

Kapil Dev may have gone down in Indian cricket history as the greatest all-rounder that the country has produced, but it was his bowling that made him all the more special. A tally of 434 wickets in 131 Tests puts the Chandigarh-born pacer in fourth place among the most successful fast bowlers of all time.

A bowler for all conditions, Kapil enjoyed a similar amount of success in both home and away Tests. He was easily India’s best bowler on Australian pitches as he took 51 wickets in 11 Tests there at a remarkable average of just 24.58 and also in the West Indies where he averaged slightly over 23 for his 35 wickets.

Also Read: 5 captains who succeeded in one format but didn't in another

Although India did not win too much in the 5-day format during his days in international cricket, Kapil Dev’s average in 24 matches won by the team was a stunning 18.30. His career-best match figures of 11 for 146 came in a 10-wicket win for the Indians against arch-rivals Pakistan at Madras (now Chennai) in 1980.

1. Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble is 3rd on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers

Anil Kumble may currently be making the news for his exploits as Team India’s head coach, but until almost a decade back it was all about his achievements as the country’s most successful bowler ever. His contribution to Indian cricket, though, is way beyond just the 619 wickets that he took in and illustrious career which lasted 18 years.

One may argue that Kumble did not have a particularly great record in away conditions; however, this is weighed down by the sheer number of occasions on which he toiled hard to get purchase out of the most unresponsive pitches and succeeded. Moreover, he does have pretty decent statistics outside India with 269 wickets in 69 matches at an average ranging in the mid-30s.

Also Read: 5 most powerful men in Indian Cricket

The primary reason why Anil Kumble makes it to the top of the list as India’s best Test bowler is his match-winning ability. Out of the 132 Tests that the Karnataka leggie played, the Indian team won 43 with him claiming as many as 288 wickets and averaging only 18.75 with his best innings figures being the iconic 10 for 74 that he took against Pakistan in 1999 at Delhi.

Check RCB Squad 2024 Details. Follow Sportskeeda for IPL 2024 Live Score, Schedule, Points Table

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor