Top 5 Indian bowlers with most wickets in a test series against Australia

Only two Indian bowlers have taken more than 30 wickets in a test series against Australia.

India and Australia stand as the two heavyweights of international cricket. The two cricketing giants have a remarkable record in test cricket sharing 14 ICC test maces between them (including the World Test Championship).

Over the years, these two nations have contested in numerous memorable test series. Despite playing most of their games on batting-friendly wickets, the Indian bowlers have played a huge role in establishing India‘s success over Australia in the 21st century.

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

Top five Indian bowlers with most wickets in a test series against Australia:

5. Kapil Dev – 28 wickets, 1979

Former India captain Kapil Dev is regarded as the greatest Indian all-rounder. He was India’s leading wicket-taker during Australia’s tour of India in 1979.

The star Indian speedster picked up 28 wickets at an average of 22.8. His best bowling figures of the series, 5/74, came during the fifth test in Kolkata. Kapil’s efforts helped India win the six-match series 2-0.

4. BS Chandrasekhar – 28 wickets, 1977/78

Former Indian leg spinner BS Chandrasekhar was India’s star during their tour of Australia in 1977/78. Chandrasekhar ended the five-match series with 28 wickets at an average of 25.14.

His best bowling performance on the tour came in Melbourne, where he picked up 6/52 to help India bowl out Australia for 213 in the first-innings. India eventually won that test by 222 runs.

Australia, though, won the series 3-2.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin – 29 wickets, 2013

Ravichandran Ashwin has taken the most wickets by an Indian bowler against Australia in test cricket. His most remarkable performance came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2013 at home, where he took 29 wickets in four games at an average of 20.1.

Ashwin’s heroics helped India whitewash Australia (4-0) for the first time in their cricketing history. His best bowling performance in the series, 7/103, came during the first test in Chennai. He took four five-fors in the series.

2. Bishan Singh Bedi – 31 wickets, 1977/78

Another Indian spin legend who features on the list of taking most wickets in a test series against Australia is Bishan Singh Bedi. Bedi snared 31 wickets at an average of 23.87 during India’s tour of Australia in 1977/78.

His best bowling performance in the series was 5/55, which came during the Brisbane test where he tore through the Australian lineup to restrict the hosts to just 166 runs in the first innings.

Despite Bedi’s efforts, India ultimately lost the five-match series by a 3-2 margin.

1. Harbhajan Singh – 32 wickets, 2001

Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh holds the record of taking the most wickets for India in a test series against Australia. The 2001 BGT at home, widely regarded as one of the greatest test series of all time, saw India defeat Australia 2-1 in the three-match series.

Harbhajan Singh led the Indian bowling attack throughout the grinding series by picking up 32 wickets in three matches at an average of just 17. He bagged four five-wicket hauls in the series and also became the first Indian bowler to take a test hat-trick.

(All stats are updated till 26th December 2024)

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