5 Most Prolific Bowlers for India against England in ODIs

Tomorrow will be a really big day for the Indian Cricket Team as their all-important tour to England will commence with the first T20I in Manchester. This will be a prologue to Biggest Event in Cricketing World, the Cricket World Cup, which is also scheduled to be held in England in less than 10 months.

For the first time in the history, both teams have a well-balanced batting attack as well as bowling comrade that give a proper fight to the opposition. However, the biggest plus point for India is that they have arguably their strongest bowling contingent, something that has often troubled them in English conditions.

With a lot of eyes on the acclaimed Indian spin duo and fast bowling trio, there will be a lot of pressure on these players to perform at their best.

Even in the past, there have been some bowlers who have performed exceptionally well against England in ODIs.

In my last article, I compiled a list of 5 of the most prolific run scorers for India against England in ODIs. Now, it time to compile a list of the 5 most prolific bowlers for India against England in ODIs.

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#5 Kapil Dev

Dev was the driving force of a number of victories for the Indian team

If there ever were a Mount Rushmore style monument made for the cricketers who were influential in the success of Indian Cricket, there is certainly no doubt that Kapil Dev Nikhanj would have been on that monument.

The first proper fast bowler of the Indian team, Dev was the driving force of a number of victories for the Indian team and was the captain of the team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup in England.

Speaking of England, Dev had a tremendous bowling record against the English team in ODIs. In his 16-year long career, he was part of the Indian team in 23 matches against England and took 28 wickets at an average of 28.07.

His average of 3.76 against England still ranks as the best among Indians who have played ODI against England.

#4 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin's contributions towards the Indian team has been immense

Even though he is currently out of India's limited overs lineup, and probably won't be making a return to the squad anytime soon, one can not deny Ravichandran Ashwin's contributions towards the success of the team in the post-2011 World Cup period.

It was his tremendous performance in the shorter formats that made him India's first choice spinner in all the formats during that period.

Even though he will only be playing in the Test Series in England, Ashwin's previous record against England in ODI is pretty commendable, which includes a match-winning spell in the 2013 Champion's Trophy Final.

Having played 23 matches for India against England, Ashwin scalped 35 English wickets at an economy of 5.12. With the best bowling of 3 for 28, Ashwin has taken those prized scalps at a healthy average of 28.

#3 Javagal Srinath

Between 1994 and 2003, he was India's lead pacer and he proved this by performing every time he stepped on the ground

There is a reason why Javagal Srinath is still the best ODI Fast Bowler ever produced by India.

The man had the pace, the man had the variations and was a master of impeccable line and length, and was the architect of several memorable wins for the Indian Cricket Team.

Between 1994 and 2003, he was India's lead pacer and he proved this by performing every time he stepped on the ground.

With England as the oppositions team, against whom he represented the Indian cricket team in 21 matches, Srinath scalped 35 wickets of the opposition at a magical average of just 23.69 and economy of only 4.39.

Even though he has the same number of wickets as Ashwin, the fact that he took them in less number of matches, at a lower average, lower economy and a 5-wicket haul means he ranks higher than him in this list.

#2 Harbhajan Singh

His love affair with England can be understood from the fact that he is the only Indian with two five-wicket hauls against England in ODIs

For almost 10 years, Harbhajan Singh formed the backbone of the Indian spin bowling. First, with his senior partner Kumble and then as the leader of the pack, Harbhajan was always a force to be reckoned with thanks to his deceiving delivery.

While he is at the tail end of his International career and has not played an ODI in almost three years, there is no denying the contributions that Bhajji made for the Indian cricket team.

The Turbanator, as he was fondly called, represented India in 23 ODI matches against England between 1999 and 2013.

In those 14 years, he managed to take 36 wickets of the opposition batsmen at an average slightly above 25 and an economy of only 4.20.

His love affair with England can be understood from the fact that he is the only Indian with two five-wicket hauls against England in ODIs.

#1 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja became a cricketing sensation with his performances in the shorter formats of the game

Surprised? I bet you all are. The man who is out of favour of the ODI squad and won't be representing India in their ODI matches on their tour to England is the most prolific Indian bowler against England.

While he has slowly developed into India's test-only spinner, one can not forget that, just like Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja became a cricketing sensation with his performances in the shorter formats of the game.

And this is where his majestic performance against the team began, against whom he has taken more wickets than any other Indian bowler.

In the 22 matches that he played for India versus England, Jadeja took 37 wickets of the opposition at a splendid average of 24.27 and a respectable economy of 4.89.

His performances were vital during India's memorable series wins against England in 2011 and 2013, when he was India's highest wicket-taker both times.

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Which of the Indian bowlers will have the most impact in the English tour? Sound off your opinions in the comments section!