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

Only three Indian fast bowlers have taken 50 or more test wickets in a calendar year.

In the bowling department, India have long been celebrated for their exceptional spin bowlers. The country has produced some of the greatest spinners of all time including Anil Kumble, Bishan Singh Bedi and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The dry, slow pitches in India assist the spinners significantly. However, despite conditions traditionally favouring spin, Indian fast bowlers have also delivered match-winning performances on both home and away soil.

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

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

5. Jasprit Bumrah – 48 wickets, 2018

Considered as the best fast bowler of his generation, Jasprit Bumrah registered his name in the history books in the year which he made his test debut, 2018. The Indian speedster claimed 48 wickets in just 18 innings, with a remarkable bowling average of 21.02.

Bumrah’s most memorable bowling performance that year was 6/33 which came against Australia in Melbourne, where he guided the visitors to a historic win in the Boxing Day test.

4. Zaheer Khan – 51 wickets, 2002

Known for his impeccable control of the new and the old ball, Zaheer Khan finished 2002 with 51 test wickets in 26 innings at an average of 29. Zaheer’s tally that year included two five-wicket hauls.

His best bowling performance that year was 6/85 against New Zealand in the first innings of the Hamilton test. Despite his heroics, India lost that game by four wickets.

3. Jasprit Bumrah – 71 wickets, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah was simply sensational in 2024, taking 71 test wickets in 26 innings at an average of just 14.92 and claiming five five-fors. He helped India win test matches in Cape Town and Perth and thump England at home.

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.

2. Kapil Dev – 74 wickets, 1979

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

Kapil’s tally of 74 wickets 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 the most test wickets by an Indian fast bowler in a calendar year. The year 1983 was extraordinary for Kapil. He led India to their first-ever World Cup triumph.

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

(All stats are updated till 30th December 2024)

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