Top 5 Indian bowlers with most test wickets in a calendar year

Only three Indian bowlers have taken more than 70 test wickets in a calendar year.

India have long been celebrated as one of the strongest batting nations. The country has produced several batting greats from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and now Virat Kohli.

However, what has often been ignored is India’s bowling quality. From defending 143 runs to seal a win in Melbourne in 1981 to defending 107 runs in the final innings in Mumbai in 2004, Indian bowlers have played a key role in scripting several memorable victories in test cricket.

In this article, we will take a look at the top five Indian bowlers with most test wickets in a calendar year.

Top five Indian bowlers with most test wickets in a calendar year:

5. Jasprit Bumrah – 65 wickets*, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah was almost unplayable in 2024, taking 65 test wickets in 25 innings at an average of just 15.06 with four five-fors. Bumrah was India’s star in their remarkable victories at Cape Town and Perth.

Bumrah’s best bowling performance in 2024 came against England in Vishakhapatnam, where he picked up 6/45 to bowl out the visitors for 253 runs.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 72 wickets, 2016

Known for bowling the ball on a string, Ravichandran Ashwin finished 2016 with 72 test wickets in 23 innings at an average of 23.9. Ashwin’s tally that year included eight five-wicket hauls.

His best bowling performance that year was 7/59 against New Zealand in the second innings of the Indore test. His heroics helped India win that game by a massive margin of 321 runs.

3. Anil Kumble – 74 wickets, 2004

India’s greatest-ever spinner, Anil Kumble registered his name in the history books in 2004. The Indian spinner claimed 74 wickets in just 23 innings, at a remarkable bowling average of 24.83.

Kumble’s most memorable bowling performance that year was 8/141, which came against Australia in Sydney. His efforts helped the visitors secure a draw to end the four-match series 1-1.

2. Kapil Dev – 74 wickets, 1979

Regarded as India’s greatest all-rounder, Kapil Dev took 74 wickets in just 29 test innings in 1979. Kapil finished the year with five test five-wicket hauls to his name.

Kapil’s impressive wicket tally came at an excellent average of 22.95 and a strike rate of 48. His best bowling performance of 6/63 that year came against Pakistan at Kanpur.

1. Kapil Dev – 75 wickets, 1983

Kapil Dev holds the record for taking the most test wickets by an Indian bowler in a calendar year. 1983 was a remarkable year for Kapil. As a captain, he led India to their first-ever World Cup triumph.

On an individual level, the speedster ended the year with a record 75 test wickets in just 25 innings at an average of 23.18 with five five-fors. Kapil’s best bowling performance of 9/83 that year came against West Indies in Ahmedabad.

(All stats are updated till 26th December 2024)

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