Top 5 Test bowlers of the decade (2010-19)

#3. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin

Matches -- 70, Wickets -- 362, Average -- 25.36, Strike Rate -- 53.6, Best Bowling in an innings -- 7/59

By the start of the decade, Harbhajan Singh’s powers had begun to fade. In fact, in the 23 Tests that Singh featured in during the decade, he picked up 74 wickets at an average of 40.05. This is where Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in and took over the mantle of India’s lead spinner rather seamlessly. His transition from IPL to Test cricket has been amazingly successful. 362 wickets in 70 Tests are returns any team would gladly accept. Ashwin has 27 five-fors in the decade, next only to Herath.

Ashwin’s variations, especially his carrom ball, grabbed a lot of headlines during his early years in international cricket. However, with batsmen beginning to read his wrong'un better with time, Ashwin has kept improving his repertoire, and remains a match-winning wicket-taker, in combination with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, particularly at home. The constant endeavour to outdo opponents has seen Ashwin capturing seven ten-wicket match hauls.

The off-spinner’s best figures in an innings, 7 for 59 (second innings), came against New Zealand at Indore in October 2016. In fact, Ashwin picked up 6 for 81 in the first innings to register career-best match figures of 13 for 140. He picked up nine wickets in his debut Test against West Indies in November 2011. Ashwin’s other memorable performances at home include 7 for 103 and 5 for 95 vs Australia (Chennai 2013), 5 for 32 and 7 for 66 vs South Africa (Nagpur 2015), 6 for 112 and 6 for 55 vs England (Mumbai 2016).

Ashwin and Rishabh Pant

In away Test triumphs, Ashwin has claimed 45 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 23.60. His best of 7 for 83 came against West Indies at North Sound in July 2016. Ashwin also registered two five-fors in Colombo, in August 2015 and August 2017. However, he doesn’t have any five-wicket hauls in Australia, England and South Africa.

Harbhajan.