Test cricket stands as the most ancient and esteemed version of the cricketing sport. The challenge of facing formidable opponents such as India in Test matches presents a significant hurdle for rival bowlers. Throughout history, certain remarkable bowlers have achieved remarkable feats against the Indian batting roster, accumulating a notable tally of wickets. According to the cricket news update, today, you’ll delve into the ranks of the ten leading bowlers in terms of wickets taken against India in Test matches.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 105 wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan stands tall as the bowler with the most wickets against India in Test matches, having claimed 105 scalps. The brilliant Sri Lankan off-spinner bamboozled generations of Indian batsmen with his prodigious spin and mastery of variations. Muralitharan had a knack for outwitting the star-studded Indian batting order, betraying their weaknesses against quality spin bowling.
With his unique wristy action and lively fingerspin, Muralitharan could generate sharp turn and extravagant bounce. This allowed him to consistently cause problems for the Indian batsmen on all types of pitches. Muralitharan possessed a lethal arsenal of deliveries like the topspinner, flipper, slider and of course, the ‘doosra’ which spun away from right-handers. His ability to develop new deliveries and use them judiciously made him virtually unplayable at times.
2. James Anderson (England) – 110 wickets
With 110 wickets against India, England’s pace spearhead James Anderson occupies second place on this list. Anderson has tormented generations of Indian batsmen by leveraging their traditional weakness against swing bowling. His ability to make the ball swing both ways, coupled with impeccable line and length, has made him a persistent thorn in India’s flesh.
Anderson has played 35 Test matches against India so far and boasts an excellent average of 29.62 against them. He has consistently exposed the Indian batsmen’s frailties with his late swinging deliveries, catching the edges or hitting the stumps. Anderson’s immaculate control over seam and swing movement makes him extremely dangerous, especially with the older ball.
3. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 110 wickets
The legendary Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath is third on this list with 110 Test wickets against India. Renowned for his machine-like accuracy and discipline, McGrath was a constant thorn in the flesh for Indian batsmen. He played 29 Test matches against India through the course of his career.
McGrath’s immaculate control over line and length made him extremely miserly and difficult to score runs off. He had the uncanny ability to repeatedly land the ball in the corridor of uncertainty outside the off-stump. This frustrated generations of Indian batsmen as McGrath gave absolutely nothing away.
4. Shane Warne (Australia) – 95 wickets
The prodigiously talented Shane Warne completes Australia’s peerless bowling quartet. Warne bamboozled India with his leg-spin, flippers and zooters. He had a knack for breaking big partnerships and ran through the famed Indian batting order on multiple occasions. In 27 Tests against India, Warne picked up 95 wickets at an average of 27.17. He bowled with guile and world-class control which made life extremely difficult for the Indians.
5. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 85 wickets
The ‘Sultan of Swing’ Wasim Akram is next on the list with 85 wickets. Akram could make the ball talk both ways with his genius swing bowling. He had the ability to produce magic deliveries with the old ball that shattered the stumps. Akram’s battles with India’s batting legends like Sachin Tendulkar were much anticipated contests. He averaged 23.62 against India and relished playing against the arch-rivals.
6. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 79 wickets
Waqar Younis, Akram’s pace bowling partner, follows him on this list with 79 wickets against India. As one half of one of the greatest fast bowling pairs, Younis tormented India with his lethal yorkers and pace. He was equally effective with the old ball, able to move it both ways at high speed. Younis averaged 22.94 against India and frequently left their stumps shattered with his menacing reverse swinging inswinging yorkers.
7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 79 wickets
The legendary Kiwi all-rounder Richard Hadlee occupies the next spot with 79 wickets against India. Hadlee used his pace, bounce and accuracy to trouble the Indian batting order frequently. He could generate disconcerting swing and seam movement which caused problems for the Indians on so many occasions. Hadlee averaged just 22.17 with the ball against India, underlining his formidable record against them.
8. Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) – 77 wickets
The left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is next on this accomplished list with 77 wickets. He was part of the latter generation of Sri Lankan bowlers who continued to torment India. Herath used flight, spin and subtle variations to outfox the Indian lineups. He often exploited spin friendly conditions very well against India. Herath averaged an excellent 23.65 against the Indians and regularly picked up wickets in bursts.
9. Courtney Walsh (West Indies) – 74 wickets
The extraordinarily durable Courtney Walsh takes the next spot with 74 wickets against India. Walsh used his remarkably consistent right arm fast bowling to spearhead West Indies’ pace attacks against India for many years. He generated steep bounce from the surface which created big problems for the Indians. Walsh averaged just 23.68 against India and his miserly accuracy produced many prized scalps.
10. Michael Holding (West Indies) – 71 wickets
Completing the list is Michael Holding, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. With his graceful run up and smooth action, holding regularly blasted out Indian batsmen with menacing pace. He could make the new ball swing prodigiously and was equally effective with the old ball. Holding picked up 71 wickets against India at a superb average of 21.36, emphasizing his potency against them.
Conclusion
India has faced plenty of excellent bowling over the years and these bowlers have produced outstanding performances against them. Their success underlines India’s formidable reputation in Test cricket. As per today cricket update news, this list contains some of the finest bowlers to have played the game who frequently gave India’s batsmen nightmares. These bowling stars demolished India’s batting numerous times and their records underscore their phenomenal prowess with the ball against one of cricket’s leading teams.