Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble holds the record for the most five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket.
Having made his Test debut against England in 1990, Kumble became the most successful Indian bowler of all time and the fourth-highest wicket-taker in international cricket.
Between 1990 and 2008, Kumble picked up 35 five-wicket hauls - the most by any Indian bowler in Test cricket.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is second on the list for most five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket. He has already taken 34 fifers in cricket’s longest format. Know players with most five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket.
Most five-wicket hauls for India in Test cricket
|
Player |
Span |
Matches |
Innings |
Wickets |
Average |
Five-wicket hauls |
|
Anil Kumble |
1990-2008 |
132 |
236 |
619 |
29.65 |
35 |
|
Ravichandran Ashwin |
2011-2023 |
93 |
176 |
486 |
23.61 |
34 |
|
Harbhajan Singh |
1998-2015 |
103 |
190 |
417 |
32.46 |
25 |
|
Kapil Dev |
1978-1994 |
131 |
227 |
434 |
29.64 |
23 |
|
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar |
1964-1979 |
58 |
97 |
242 |
29.74 |
16 |
Anil Kumble | 35 fifers in 132 Tests
No bowler has won India more Test matches than the legendary Anil Kumble. Regarded as one of the greatest leg-spinners in Test cricket history, Kumble recorded 35 five-wicket hauls to his name. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (67), Shane Warne (37) and Richard Hadlee (36) finished their career with more five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. In his 18-year-long career, Kumble picked up 619 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65.
Ravichandran Ashwin | 34 fifers in 93 Tests
Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s biggest match-winner with the ball in Test cricket since making his debut against West Indies in 2011. The off-spinner has already registered 34 five-wicket hauls in the longest format of the game. Ashwin is currently India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 486 dismissals in just 93 matches at an impressive average of 23.61.
Harbhajan Singh | 25 fifers in 103 Tests
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has the third-most five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket. The right-arm off-spinner bagged 25 five-wicket hauls in 103 Tests. Having made his Test debut against Australia in 1998, Harbhajan finished his Test career with 417 wickets at an average of 32.46.
Kapil Dev | 23 fifers in 131 Tests
Former India captain Kapil Dev is fourth on the list for the five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket. Between 1978 and 1994, Kapil Dev claimed 23 five-wicket hauls in 131 Tests for the Indian cricket team. He finished his legendary career with 434 Test wickets at an average of 29.64.
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar | 16 fifers in 58 Tests
Former leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar completes the top five list for most five wicket-hauls for India in Test cricket. Considered to be one of India’s biggest match-winners overseas in the 1960s and 70s, Chandrasekhar picked up 16 fifers in 58 Tests. He ended his career with 242 Test wickets at an average of 29.74.
Photo credit: Alamy
