5 fastest Indian pacers to claim 100 Test wickets

On Day 2 of the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa at Centurion, Mohammed Shami dismissed Keshav Maharaj in the 99th over of the hosts' first innings, to become the 20th Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in the longest format of the game.

The 27-year-old is the seventh Indian pace bowler to achieve the feat, behind Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ishant Sharma, Karsan Ghavri and Irfan Pathan.

Overall, with 619 wickets, legendary spinner Anil Kumble is the leading Test wicket-taker from India, while Ravichandran Ashwin is the fastest from the country to 100 Test wickets, getting there in his 18th match.

Now, let us have a look at the 5 fastest Indian fast bowlers to claim 100 Test wickets.

#5 Ishant Sharma (33)

Ishant Sharma, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2007, has claimed 229 wickets from 80 five-dayers and occupies the fifth spot on this list.

During a 2011 Test against the West Indies at the Kensington Oval, the Delhi speedster dismissed Darren Sammy to complete his 100 wickets in the longest format.

The lanky pacer was 22 years 301 days old at that time and became the third youngest Indian to scalp 100 wickets in Tests after Kapil Dev (21 years 25 days) and Harbhajan Singh (21 years 319 days).

The 29-year-old, who joined the elite club his 33rd Test, recorded his career-best figures of 7/74 at the Lord's during a 2014 five-day game that India won by 95 runs.

#4 Javagal Srinath (30)

Javagal Srinath, who made his Test debut in 1991 against Australia, played 67 five-day games and claimed 236 wickets, before retiring from the format in 2002.

Currently an ICC Match Referee, Srinath sits on the fourth spot on this list as he took 30 Test matches to claim 100 wickets.

During a 1997 Test match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, Srinath dismissed Pramodya Wickramasinghe to achieve the milestone in the longest format of the game.

Srinath, who was the second Indian after Kapil Dev to take 200 Test wickets, recorded his career-best match figures of 13/132 in a 1999 five-dayer against Pakistan in Kolkata.

#3 Mohammed Shami (29)

Mohammed Shami, who claimed 24 wickets in four matches, including three five-fors in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy tournament, is the latest member to join the elite club.

The ongoing Test match against South Africa is Shami's 29th and is why he occupies the third spot on this list.

Shami made his Test debut in 2013 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and became an instant hit as he recorded his career-best match figures of 9/118 on his debut.

#2 Irfan Pathan (28)

The out of favour Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, who hasn't played a Test match since April 2008, claims the second spot on this list.

Pathan made his Test debut in 2003 against Australia and in 2006 he became the only pacer and second Indian after Harbhajan Singh to take a Test hat-trick.

In the 2006 Karachi Test, Pathan got rid of Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yusuf on consecutive deliveries to stun the hosts.

Playing his 28th Test match in January 2008 at Adelaide, the then 24-year-old pacer dismissed Australian Brett Lee to claim his 100th wicket in the longest format.

#1 Kapil Dev (25)

With 434 wickets in 131 Test matches he played between 1978 and 1994, Kapil Dev is the most successful Indian pacer till date.

Also, by claiming 100 wickets in 25 Tests, the legendary pacer claims the top spot on this list.

In the Kolkata Test of the 1980 series between India and Pakistan, the 21 years 25 days old Kapil dismissed Taslim Arif to complete his 100 Test wickets.

Interestingly, in the same match, the all-rounder went past 1,000 runs and became the youngest cricketer to complete the 1,000-run-100-wicket double.