India vs South Africa 2019 | Top 5 Indian wicket-takers against South Africa in Test cricket

After being dropped in the Carribean, Ravichandran Ashwin made a strong comeback and landed the first blow, claiming seven wickets in the first Test of the Freedom Trophy in Vizag and reminding everybody of the talent he possesses. His immaculate line and length gave no scoring options and helped him claim wickets by tightening the screws. He jumped one place in the list of the highest Indian wicket-takers against South Africa, overtaking a prominent left-arm bowler.

Here's a list of the top Indian wicket-takers against the Proteas.

#5 Zaheer Khan

New Zealand v India - 2nd Test: Day 4

The only left-arm pacer in the top 10 wicket-takers against South Africa, Zaheer Khan stands fifth with 40 wickets in 12. Zaheer might have the worst average of 36.42 in this list, his spells with the old ball bamboozled the South African batsmen. Understandably, 30 out of his 40 wickets have come on the pacer-friendly tracks in South Africa. His 24 wickets were the highest he took while playing under MS Dhoni.

Unfortunately, Zaheer could never take a five-wicket haul against the Proteas, but his contribution was well noted by his supporting bowlers who broke through batsmen’s defense as Zaheer game no room outside the off stump.

#4 Ravichandran Ashwin

Somerset v Nottinghamshire - Specsavers County Championship - Day Two

Yesterday's five-wicket haul helped R Ashwin jump one place to fourth in the list of top wicket-takers against South Africa. He overtook left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan and has 47 wickets currently at an average of only 18.06, the best amongst the other bowlers on the list. Most of Ashwin's victims, 38 of them, have been in home conditions at an astonishing average of 12.89 in five matches.

There’s a high probability of Ashwin climbing up the charts in the coming years depending on the longevity of his Test career under Virat Kohli. Whether he likes it or not, Ashwin has played seven matches and taken all wickets against South Africa under the captaincy of Kohli, in comparison to only one match under MS Dhoni. His impressive performances after getting dropped never cease to amaze the cricketing world as he continues to get better with age.

Also see - England vs New Zealand schedule 2019

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan against Australia

Harbhajan Singh played his last Test match in 2015, ending his wickets-tally at 417 wickets. He comes third in this list with 60 wickets in 11 games at an average of 28.40. But if fellow opposition players were to be believed, Harbhajan was the toughest they faced as his variations later included the ‘doosra’ as well. Most of his wickets, 42, came in home conditions at an impressive average of 26.00 in seven matches.

In the 2004-05 season, the batsmen were all over the place as he took 13 South African wickets in only two matches, including a seven-for. Harbhajan averages best, 25.90, under the influential captaincy of MS Dhoni, who also guided him well from behind the stumps. Between the year 2004-2010, Harbhajan won four games against the South Africans as he recorded half-tally of his wickets against the South Africans within that period itself and formed a lethal duo with leggie Anil Kumble.

#2 Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath of India

Line and length is one thing you associate with Javagal Srinath and he deservingly takes the second spot in the list of top wicket-takers against South Africa. Srinath took 64 wickets in 13 games against the Proteas at an impressive average of 24.48 with four five-wicket hauls.

He did maximum damage in helpful South African conditions, taking 43 wickets in eight games at 25.27. He too impressed and came into his own under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar as he went on to take 39 wickets in eight matches between 1996 to 2000. Srinath remained on the losing side six times and could only win two against the Proteas.

#1 Anil Kumble

1st Test India v South Africa - Day Five

Ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble stands at the top of the list of wicket-takers against India with 84 wickets in 21 matches. In his 16-year long career, the former Indian captain played nine matches in India against the Proteas and took 39 wickets at an average of 31.53. In South Africa, Kumble claimed 45 victims in 12 matches with one five-wicket haul. Between 1996 to 2000, under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar, Kumble played the most number of Test matches.

He took 33 wickets in eight matches at an average of 31.2 including the best of six for 143 runs. But his best is believed to have come under the leadership of current Hyderabad cricket President Mohammad Azharuddin, where his 18 wickets were taken at an average of 25.94 in four matches. Kumble received a lot of help on South Africa pitches as he purchased enough pace and bounce to trouble the batsmen, who were more accustomed to spinners turning the ball and bowling slow.