Most wickets for India across formats: Anil Kumble untouchable on top

Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has picked the most wickets for India across formats in international cricket.

Having made his international debut against England in a Test match in 1990, Kumble went on to claim 953 wickets for India in 401 matches at an average of 30.06.

The Bangalore-born cricketer ended his career with 619 Test wickets in 132 matches at an average of 29.65. He picked 35 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls. 

Kumble also played 269 One-Day International (ODI) matches between 1990 and 2007, bagging 334 wickets at an average of ​​30.83.

Among active players, Ravichandran Ashwin has the most wickets for India across formats. Ashwin features second on the list as he has scalped 744 wickets in 281 matches so far. The second-highest wicket-taker for India Tests, Ashwin has so far tallied 516 scalps in 100 Tests followed by 156 wickets in ODIs and 72 wickets in the T20Is.

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh is third on the list of most wickets for India across formats. The quality off-spinner picked 707 wickets in 365 matches at an average of 32.59.

Harbhajan made his Test debut against Australia in 1998 and ended his career with 417 wickets in 103 matches in the longest format.  

Fondly known as ‘The Turbantor’, Harbhajan also featured in 234 ODIs, claiming 265 wickets at an average of 33.47.

Former fast bowler Kapil Dev and seamer Zaheer Khan complete the top five list of most wickets for India across formats.

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, picked 687 wickets for India in 356 matches. An impressive 434 of those 687 wickets came in the longest format while 253 were picked in ODI cricket.

On the other hand, the 2011 World Cup winner Zaheer Khan bagged 597 wickets in 303 matches.

Most wickets for India across formats

Featured photo: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP