Ravichandran Ashwin topped the list of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests on Saturday, when he picked 5 for 77 in the second innings of the final Test against England. Indian cricket history has witnessed some great players over the years. Bowling hasn't always been a strong suit for India but there still have been plenty of individual brilliance in the past as well. Five wickets in an innings in Test cricket is a big achievement and the bowler gets to carry the ball at the end of the innings.
Today we take a look at Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests.
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Contents
List of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests
Bowler | Matches | 5-wicket hauls in Tests | Career span |
Ravichandran Ashwin | 100 | 36 | 2011-2024 |
Anil Kumble | 132 | 35 | 1990-2008 |
Harbhajan Singh | 103 | 25 | 1998-2015 |
Kapil Dev | 131 | 23 | 1978-1994 |
BS Chandrasekhar | 58 | 16 | 1964-1979 |
Bishan Bedi | 67 | 14 | 1966-1979 |
Ravindra Jadeja | 72 | 13 | 2012-2024 |
Subhash Gupte | 36 | 12 | 1951-1961 |
Zaheer Khan | 92 | 11 | 2000-2014 |
Ishant Sharma | 105 | 11 | 2007-2021 |
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is the greatest spinner India has ever seen and his record backs the claim. Since making his debut in 2011, the off-spin all-rounder has been one of the biggest match-winners for India in Test cricket. He has constantly tried to redefine himself with the ball.
Ashwin sits at the top of the list of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls, having picked five wickets in an innings on 36 instances. On the all-time list, Ashwin is just two five-fors away from surpassing the late Aussie great Shane Warne. Ashwin has taken 516 wickets from 100 Tests at a magnificent average of 23.75.
Anil Kumble
The legendary leg-spin bowler Anil Kumble has the second most 5-wicket hauls in Tests for India with the number reading 35. Kumble, who played 132 Tests for India between 1990 to 2008, held the record until recently. He was an integral part of the bowling attack and produced several match-winning spells for India.
Overall, he snared 619 wickets in the longer format at an average of 29.65 and occupies the fourth spot in the all-time highest wicket-takers list. Kumble is also one of the three bowlers ever to claim 10 wickets in an innings.
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh was the partner in crime for Kumble in the subcontinent conditions during the 2000s. The off-spinner did manage to carve out a decent legacy for himself, playing 103 Tests in his career. Bhajji has several impactful performances in Test cricket, with his highlight being the 2001 series versus Australia at home.
Harbhajan is third in the club of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests, having achieved the feat in 25 innings. He picked 417 wickets in his Test career at 32.46 runs a piece.
Kapil Dev
The greatest fast bowling all-rounder the country has ever seen, Kapil Dev took 23 five-wicket hauls during his Test career between 1978 to 1994. The man who led India to their maiden World Cup title in 1983, had a stellar Test career as well.
Dev is the third leading wicket-taker for India in Test cricket with 434 scalps from 131 Tests at an average of 29.64. On top of that, he also made 5248 runs at an average of 31.05.
BS Chandrasekhar
BS Chandrasekhar was instrumental in India's success during 1964 to 1979. The leg-break bowler had sharp googlies, top-spinners and leg-breaks at good pace in his arsenal. He played a key role in India's first series victory in England in 1971, with 6 for 38 at The Oval and in India's first win in Australia in 1978, snaring 12 for 104 at Melbourne.
Chandrasekhar played 58 Tests in his career and picked 242 wickets at an average of 29.74. He picked 16 five-wicket hauls in the longer format.
Bishan Singh Bedi
Bishan Singh Bedi is regarded as one of the best spinners India has ever had for the way he bowled and the impact he had. He was deceptive and had flight, loop, spin and pace as his weapons. Bedi played 67 Test matches in his career and picked 266 wickets at an average of 28.71. Bedi sits sixth on the list of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls, having reached the feat in 14 innings.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best all-rounders in Test cricket purely based on his numbers. Among the Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests, Jadeja sits at seventh with 13 five-fors. The left-arm spin all-rounder has produced several match defining spells with the ball, and forms a deadly combo with Ashwin at home.
Jadeja has played 72 Tests and picked 294 wickets at an excellent average of 24.17, with best innings figures of 7 for 42. He has also scored 3036 runs at an average of 36.
Subhash Gupte
Subash Gupte was a world class leg-spinner in his time during 1951 to 1961. He played 36 Tests for India and picked 149 wickets at an average of 29.55. Gupte has the second best ratio for five-fors to matches, with 12 five-wicket hauls in 36 games. His best figures in an innings came against West Indies, when he snared 9 for 102 at Kanpur.
Zaheer Khan
The left-arm pacer was India's premier fast bowler during the 2000s. Zaheer Khan had to battle several injuries during his career but at his peak, he was simply brilliant. He played 92 Tests for India during his time and claimed 311 wickets at 32.94 apiece. Zaheer Khan snared 11 five-wicket hauls in his career, with best innings figures of 7 for 87.
Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma occupies the 10th spot on the list of Indians with most 5-wicket hauls in Tests. The right arm seamer showed promise early in his career but could not really live up to it until 2014-15. He was at his best during 2018-20, where he averaged just 19.14 across 18 Tests. Overall, Ishant played 105 Tests for India and picked 311 scalps at 32.40 apiece, including 11 five-fors.