Indian Cricket Team's highest wicket-takers in tests, ODI and T20I cricket

Seven bowlers have taken more than 500 wickets for the Indian cricket team in international cricket.

Indian Cricket Team stands as one of the most successful cricket teams of all time. The Asian giants have achieved peaks in all three formats, including two Cricket World Cups (50 overs), two Men’s T20 World Cups, and five ICC Test Maces.

India have produced some of the greatest batsmen in history, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar, and Rahul Dravid. And their bowlers have often been the underrated stars.

India have improved massively in the fast bowling department in the 21st century, and they have helped India record wins outside Asia regularly. Once known for their spinners, India now have strong options in the pace department as well.

On that note, let’s take a look at India’s highest wicket-takers in each of the three formats – tests, ODI and T20I cricket.

Indian Cricket Team’s highest wicket-takers in tests, ODI and T20I cricket:

1. Test cricket – Anil Kumble (619 wickets)

Anil Kumble holds the record for taking most test wickets by an Indian bowler. He made his test debut in 1990 and soon became a key part of India’s bowling attack.

Known for his variations, Kumble took 619 wickets in 132 tests at an average of 29.65. His best innings figures of 10/74 came against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999, making him the first and only Indian to take 10 wickets in an innings in test cricket. Kumble took 35 test five-wicket hauls.

He was appointed as India’s test captain in 2007.

2. ODI cricket – Anil Kumble (334 wickets)

Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker for India in ODI cricket as well. Kumble took 334 wickets in 269 ODIs for India at an average of 30 with two five-fors.

Kumble was the highest wicket-taker in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, where India reached the semi-finals. However, he was never part of ODI World Cup-winning side. He played his last ODI against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup.

3. T20I cricket – Arshdeep Singh (99 wickets)

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has surpassed seniors like Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is.

The Punjab pacer is close to 100 wickets in the format, currently standing with 99 wickets in 63 T20Is at an average of 18.3. He was also the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, taking 17 wickets and playing a key role in India’s title victory.

(All stats are updated till 2nd February 2025)

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