Top 3 oldest Indian bowlers to take five-wicket haul in test cricket

Three Indian bowlers have taken a test five-wicket haul after the age of 37.

Indian cricket has produced some of the greatest bowlers, particularly spinners, in the history of test cricket. In the longest format, where age seems to be a barrier for many cricketers, few Indian bowlers have produced match-winning performances even when their careers were in their last phases.

These bowlers have proven that experience and skill can defy the challenges posed by ageing. A five-wicket haul in test cricket is a feat that often shows the bowler’s control over the opposition’s batting line-up.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top three Indian bowlers who are the oldest to take a test five-wicket haul.

Oldest Indian bowlers to take a five-wicket haul in test cricket

3. Anil Kumble – 37y 70d

Anil Kumble is one of the greatest leg-spinners of all time. The legendary cricketer is India’s highest test wicket-taker with 619 wickets in 132 matches. Kumble claimed 35 five-wicket hauls in his astounding test career.

At the age of 37 years and 70 days, Kumble is the third oldest Indian bowler to pick a fifer in the longest format. He achieved this feat during the Melbourne test against Australia in 2007. In the first innings of Australia, the leg-spinner took five wickets in 25 overs.

Kumble’s valiant effort went in vain as India lost the match by a huge margin of 337 runs.

2. Vinoo Mankad – 37y 306d

At the age of 37 years and 306 days, former left-arm spinner Vinoo Mankad is the second oldest Indian bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in test cricket. Mankad achieved this historic milestone during the Peshawar test against arch-rivals Pakistan in February 1955.

In Pakistan’s second innings, Mankad bagged a five-wicket haul in a marathon spell of 54 overs. However, the match ended in a draw.

1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 38y 2d

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the greatest off-spinners to play test cricket. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has produced several match-winning performances for India, especially in Asian conditions. After Kumble, Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in test cricket.

Ashwin is India’s oldest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in test cricket. He recorded this feat during the Chennai test match against Bangladesh in 2024.

Ashwin produced a match-winning performance of 6/88 in Bangladesh’s second innings and helped India clinch the match by 280 runs. He was also named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, which included a century as well.

(All stats are updated till 28th September 2024.)

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