Two Indian bowlers have surpassed the 100-wicket mark in Test cricket against Australia.
Throughout the years, India and Australia have delivered numerous memorable Test matches, with iconic players from both sides. These encounters have produced some of the most thrilling moments in the history of the game.
The India-Australia rivalry in Test cricket has become as significant as the historic Ashes rivalry, thanks largely to these exceptional players.
When it comes to bowling, regardless of how many runs your batsmen score, winning Test matches relies on your bowlers claiming 20 wickets. Several Indian bowlers have excelled in Test cricket against Australia, contributing to India’s landmark victories.
Here, we take a look at the top five Indian bowlers with the most wickets against Australia in Test cricket.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Indian Bowlers with Most Wickets Against Australia in Test Cricket
5. Kapil Dev – 79 Wickets
Kapil Dev, former captain of India, is widely considered the greatest all-rounder the country has ever produced. Between 1979 and 1992, he featured in 20 Test matches against Australia, taking 79 wickets at an average of 25.35.
His best bowling performance in an innings was 8/106, while his best match figures were 8/109. This remarkable feat occurred in the opening Test of the 1985-86 series in Adelaide, where his outstanding bowling effort helped limit the formidable Allan Border-led Australian team to just 381 runs.
4. Ravindra Jadeja – 89 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja has been a constant challenge for the Australian team over the past decade. He has delivered outstanding performances for India both at home and in Australia.
In terms of his bowling record against Australia in Tests, Jadeja has played 17 matches and taken 89 wickets. His best bowling performance is 7/42, and his best match figures are 10/110. The 7/42 came during the 2023 series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
In just 12.1 overs, Jadeja claimed seven wickets, which helped India bowl Australia out for 113 in response to India’s first innings total of 262 runs. Jadeja had earlier taken three wickets when Australia scored 263 in their first innings.
3. Harbhajan Singh – 95 Wickets
Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh has claimed 95 wickets against Australia in Test cricket. The off-spinner made his Test debut against Australia in 1998 and went on to be a consistent threat throughout his career.
One of his most memorable performances came in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he single-handedly tormented the Australians, taking 32 wickets in just three Tests. Over his career, Harbhajan played 18 Tests against Australia, picking up 95 wickets, with his best innings figures of 8/84 and best match figures of 15/217.
Harbhajan also made history by becoming the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick, achieving the feat in the Kolkata Test against Australia.
2. Anil Kumble – 111 Wickets
Anil Kumble, India’s highest Test wicket-taker with 619 wickets, ranks second for most wickets by an Indian against Australia in Tests. He has taken 111 wickets in just 20 matches against Australia, including 10 five-wicket hauls and two match 10-fors.
Out of his 111 wickets, 62 were taken in India and 49 in Australia. Kumble posed a significant challenge to the well-equipped Australian batting lineup due to his exceptional control over the ball and ability to extract bounce. In the subcontinent, where conditions favored spinners, he was particularly lethal.
One of his most memorable performances came at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the fourth Test of the 2003-04 tour, where he claimed 8/141. He went on to take four more wickets, finishing with an impressive 11 wickets in the match.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 114 Wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler against Australia in Test cricket. In 22 Tests against Australia, Ashwin has taken 114 wickets, with a best performance of 7/103, which includes seven five-wicket hauls and one match 10-for.
At his home ground in Chennai, Ashwin delivered an exceptional performance against Australia in February 2013, registering figures of 7/103 and 5/95.
Ashwin also boasts a strong record in Australia, having taken 39 wickets in 10 Tests, with his best bowling figures of 4/55.
Read More: Real Madrid Defender Eder Militao Set for Surgery on Right Knee After Devastating ACL Injury
FAQs
Which Indian bowler has the most wickets against Australia in Test cricket?
Ravichandran Ashwin leads with 114 wickets in 22 Tests.
Who took the best bowling figures for India against Australia?
Kapil Dev’s 8/106 is the best bowling performance in a single innings.
How many wickets did Ravindra Jadeja take against Australia in Tests?
Jadeja has taken 89 wickets in 17 Tests against Australia.
Who was the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick against Australia?
Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick in Kolkata.
