Discover the top 5 non-retired Indian bowlers leading in Test wickets, highlighting their achievements and impressive performances. India has produced many match-winning bowlers in recent years, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Under Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri, India’s bowling improved greatly, playing a big role in India’s success in Test cricket over the last 7-8 years. Bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja have consistently taken wickets.
Anil Kumble, a legendary leg-spinner, is India’s top wicket-taker in Test cricket with 619 wickets in 132 matches. He is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), and James Anderson (690). So far, only four Indian bowlers have taken more than 400 wickets in Test cricket. Let’s look at the current leading wicket-takers for India in this format.
5. Umesh Yadav – 170 wickets
Right-arm fast bowler Umesh Yadav has taken 170 wickets in 57 Test matches, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker among active Indian players in this format. Umesh has played most of his Test matches in India, with 56% of his games on home soil. His skill in reverse swing has been very effective against all teams. In tough Indian conditions, Umesh has taken 101 wickets in 32 home Test matches.
| Match | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 112 | 170 | 30.95 |
4. Mohammed Shami – 229 wickets
Right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been a reliable player for India in all formats. Recently, he helped India reach the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, finishing the tournament with 24 wickets in 7 matches. Shami’s excellent seam bowling has also made him one of the top wicket-takers in Test cricket. So far, he has taken 229 wickets in 64 Test matches with an impressive average of 27.71.
| Match | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 122 | 229 | 27.71 |
3. Ravindra Jadeja – 319 wickets
Ravindra Jadeja, one of India’s leading bowlers, has taken 319 wickets in 77 Test matches at an impressive average of 23.76. His consistent performances with the ball have made him a key player for India in Test cricket, helping him become one of the top non-retired Indian bowlers with most wickets.
| Match | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 146 | 319 | 23.76 |
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2. Ishant Sharma – 311 wickets
Ishant Sharma is not currently playing as the Indian team is focusing on young pace bowlers in Tests. He started his Test career strongly, making tough Australian batter Ricky Ponting struggle. Ishant was a regular player for India in Test cricket, playing 105 matches and taking 311 wickets with an average of 32.40. He has not retired yet.
| Match | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | 188 | 311 | 32.40 |
1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 537 wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin has played 106 Test matches and taken 537 wickets, with an impressive average of 24.00. He is the leading non-retired Indian bowler in Test cricket for most wickets. Ashwin’s consistency and skill make him one of India’s greatest match-winners in the longest format of the game.
| Match | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | 200 | 537 | 24.00 |
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