India vs South Africa | Top 5 bowlers who can take most wickets in this series

Not in the lifetime of millennials have we seen the Indian pace bowling line-up pose such a threat for any visitor. Known as a spinner's paradise, turning pitches in the Indian sub-continent present an up-hill task for the opposition batsmen. But this time it won't be only the spinners who claim the limelight. Virat Kohli's pace battery has evolved and improved as genuine fast bowlers, regardless of the track they are bowling on. Filled with immense potential, the Indian attack can pose equal threat as their counterparts, who themselves are fully quipped as far as pace bowling is considered.

Let's take a look at the possible leading wicket-takers expected from the Freedom Trophy 2019.

#5 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has the ability to spark a collapse and bowls well to tail enders

Having been in and out of the Test squad, Ravindra Jadeja's 198 wickets do not tell the kind of influence he creates while bowling the orthodox off-breaks. Jadeja stands second on the wickets list of current Indian bowlers against South Africa, claiming 3 five-wicket hauls. When South Africa toured India in 2015, Jadeja took 23 wickets in 4 Test matches including a man of the match performance in Mohali. While bowling in tandem, Jadeja and Ashwin form a match winning pair in the Indian sub-continent and cannot be taken lightly. But with the emergence of Kuldeep Yadav, Jadeja might well be carrying drinks going by the way skipper Virat Kohli operates.

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#4 Vernon Philander

Philander will be one of the senior blokes after the retirement of Morkel and Steyn

The only other bowler in the top 10 of the current crop of bowlers associated with the Freedom trophy, Vernon Philander has been nothing less than a revelation in his 58-odd Test career, claiming 214 wickets at an average just below 22. Who would forget his 9-wicket haul against India in Cape Town when the top Indian batsmen went for hiding against the swing of Philander, who went on to take 6 wickets and claim the man of the match. Considered by many as unfit-fit in the South African team, Philander has silenced his critics with the ball as well as the bat and forming a lethal opening combo with Rabada.

#3 Kagiso Rabada

Rabada represents the next generation of South African bowlers

With 176 wickets from only 37 matches, Kagiso Rabada has had a dream start to his international career. But the Johannesburg born pacer will be looking to have a full-fledged series under his belt post the injury-laden IPL and the World Cup. Ranked above Jasprit Bumrah in the Test rankings, not only does Rabada depends on hitting the deck hard but also a disciplined line and length which cramps the batsman for room. His high-profile battle with Virat Kohli is a cricket fan's delight in the longest format of the game, considering the stakes to be high keeping in mind the point system of the maiden Test Championship.

#2 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah can put fear into the minds of the batsmen

Currently ranked 3rd in the ICC bowlers rankings for Test match cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is considered by many active and former cricketers as the most feared fast bowlers in the world alongwith England's Jofra Archer. The Gujarat born pacer has come a long way since his debut against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2018, claiming 48 wickets in 9 matches since the last Freedom Trophy. A short run-up and a lethal burst of pace with immaculate rib-damaging short deliveries resonate well with Bumrah, but expecting similar performances against a strong batting side on spin-friendly Indian tracks won't be a cakewalk for him. But who knows, it might!

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin will be the best bet and the go-to bowler on Indian pitches

'A limited-overs discard' isn't the ideal way to describe Ravichandran Ashwin's dwindling career under captain Virat Kohli. The finger spinner currently stands at the top of the most wickets column for current Indian bowlers against South Africa in Test match cricket. His 38 wickets against the Proteas have come under an astounding average of just under 15 with four 5-wicket hauls. The recently concluded series against the West Indies saw India's lead spinner ignored for both the matches by Virat Kohli. The skipper had to face a lot of slack from former greats but two wins in two reaffirmed Kohli's belief of committing to the same the playing XI.

#Special Mention - Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami can turn out to be the surprise element

Hailed by Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli as the fittest and the most improved fast bowlers in the Indian team, Mohammed Shami's record against South Africa speaks for itself. He might have played only 3 Tests against the Proteas, but his 15 wickets on Indian pitches with minimal assistance for fast bowlers in 2018 helped him heap praise from the entire cricketing community. Troubled by off field circumstances, Mohammed Shami continues to shine and wreak havoc on the visiting teams.