Top 5 Indian bowlers to take most test wickets at home

Only two Indian bowlers have picked over 300 test wickets at home.

Indian cricket has been blessed to have some of the best bowlers at international level who have dominated some of the finest batters across the world. The Indian side has seen some of the most skilled and brilliant bowlers in the history of test cricket, and their skill is often showcased on the challenging and diverse pitches found within the country.

The ability to master the varying conditions, exploit spin-friendly tracks, and adapt to different climates has made the Indian bowlers formidable competitors, especially in test cricket.

The elite Indian bowling group, which is led by spinners and supported by seamers, has played a pivotal role in India’s success in test cricket at home. Their ability to consistently take opposition wickets has not only bolstered individual records but also significantly contributed to the nation’s cricketing glory.

Here are the top five Indian bowlers with most test wickets at home

5. Ravindra Jadeja (210* wickets in 85 innings)

During the third test match between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot in February, 2024, star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the fifth Indian bowler to pick 200 test wickets on home soil. Jadeja dismissed England captain Ben Stokes as his 200th test wicket at home.

The Indian all-rounder so far has played 71* tests and amassed 3000+ runs and picked up 291* wickets in his test career. At home, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has played a total of 43* matches and picked up 210* test wickets with an economy of 2.69 and having BBM of 10/110.

4. Kapil Dev (219 wickets in 119 innings)

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain and India’s legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev is recognized as one of the greatest pacers India has ever produced in test cricket.

Kapil Dev is still India’s highest wicket-taking pace bowler in the longest format of the game. The legendary Indian captain had an outstanding career and finished with 434 wickets in 131 test matches.

The legendary all-rounder was also a beast in Indian conditions. Kapil Dev scalped 219 wickets in 119 innings at an economy of 2.85 with a BBM of 11/146 while playing for India at home in test cricket. Currently, he is the fourth-highest test-wicket taker in India at home.

3. Harbhajan Singh (265 wickets in 103 innings)

Harbhajan Singh was one of the best off-spinners in the world during his playing days. The legendary off-spinner had a great spin-bowling partnership with former Indian skipper Anil Kumble. During his test cricketing career, Harbhajan remained consistent for the national side and went on to take 417 wickets in 103 test matches.

Harbhajan Singh was a beast when it came to bowling in Indian conditions as well. The legendary off-spinner is the third-highest test wicket taker for India in home conditions. The former Indian off-spinner scalped 265 wickets in 55 home test games with an economy of 2.69 and BBM of 15/217.

The former Indian player Harbhajan Singh made his debut against Australia in 1998 and played his last test match against Sri Lanka in 2015.

2. Anil Kumble (350 wickets in 115 innings)

Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble is India’s leading wicket-taker in test cricket. In a career where Kumble picked up 619 wickets in 132 test matches, he delivered some of the great performances for India at home and on foreign soil in test cricket. The former Indian skipper Kumble is the fourth leading wicket-taker in test cricket overall after Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and James Anderson.

In Indian conditions, Kumble took 350 wickets in 63 test matches with an economy of 2.51 and a BBM of 14/149. Currently, he is the second-highest test wicket-taker for India in home conditions. The legendary leg-spinner also holds the record for best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in tests. Kumble took 10/74 against Pakistan in Delhi test in 1999.

1. Ravichandran Ashwin (351* wickets in 115 innings)

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded as one of the finest spin bowlers ever produced by India in test cricket history. Ashwin has been a match-winner for the Indian test side over the last decade or so. In the third test match between India and England in Rajkot in February, 2024, Ravi Ashwin became second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to pick 500 or more wickets in test cricket.

Ravi Ashwin is regarded even more dangerous when he plays test cricket in India. Out of 504 test scalps, 651* have come in 59 matches Ashwin played at home.

(All stats updated till 25th February, 2024)

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