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Top 5 Indian Bowlers With Most Test Wickets In South Africa

image-lr0gqaxlBumrah celebrates fall of wicket in Cape Town [AP]

India and South Africa always fulfil the appetites of cricketing fans all over the globe because of the closely-contested nature of the games. South Africa is a predominantly fast bowler-favouring nation, where pacers lick their lips at the sight of the exquisite swing and seam movement on offer. 

Be it the Indian pacers or the spinners, the bowlers have raised their hands and produced sensational performances giving the Indian Team a chance to bounce back from any situation in the match. The bowling unit of the 'Men in Blue' is always in the spotlight  and the performances of the bowlers have always played a major role on Protea soil. 

The achievements of these bowlers in South Africa are not just personal milestones but also significant chapters in India’s cricketing history. Their performances have laid down a blueprint for success in one of the toughest cricketing terrains in the world. 


Let's look at the Indian bowlers delightful performances with most Test wickets in South Africa.


Anil Kumble-45 wickets

Anil Kumble, a name truly associated with Indian spin bowling, is one of the rare overseas spinners who tasted success in South Africa. Pitches in South Africa usually assist pace bowlers, hence it is surprising to see Kumble's name on the top of the list. The former Indian Captain has bagged 45 Test wickets in South Africa, the most by an Indian player in Tests there. Kumble played 12 Tests in South Africa and his wickets have come at an average of 32.02.

Anil Kumble, the Spin Wizard enjoyed bowling particularly at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg where he picked up 17 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 16 that clearly highlights his prowess. His best bowling figures of 6-53 were also at the said stadium in 1992 that  further cement his legacy as a spinner who mastered the art of bowling.

Javagal Srinath-43 wickets

The former Indian pacer enjoyed bowling in South Africa and picked up 43 Test wickets in the Rainbow Nation. Javagal Srinath, one of the most successful Indian pacer in South Africa, follows Kumble on this prestigious list.  Srinath’s ability to exploit the pace-friendly conditions is evident with 43 Test wickets on Protea soil. The pitches in South Africa suited Srinath's style of bowling he was a part of the Indian team that toured South Africa for a Test series on three occasions and played 8 Tests across the said three tours. Three of his ten five-wicket hauls have been in South Africa.

Javagal Srinath, the Pace spearhead is the most successful Indian pacer to have played in South Africa and his average of 25.28 in South Africa is way better than his career average of 30.49. In 2001 at St. George's Park where Srinath picked up six South African wickets and ended with figures of 6-76 from 30 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah-38 wickets

image-lr0e4r23Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah(X.com)

Branded a limited-overs specialist at the beginning of his career Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah made his test debut for India against South Africa in the 2018 Cape Town Test. Bumrah has taken up 38 wickets versus South Africa. He now has third-highest number of wickets by an Indian bowler in South Africa. 

He is only behind former leg spinner Anil Kumble (45) and pacer Javagal Srinath (43).  The Indian Pacer has the joint second-highest number of five-wicket hauls in SENA nations by an Indian bowler. Bumrah has joined duo Bhagwath Chandrasekhar and Zaheer Khan, who own six five-wicket-hauls in SENA. Only Kapil Dev (7) is ahead of Bumrah.

Mohammed Shami-35 wickets

Mohammed Shami, the contemporary face of India’s pace attack, has also made a significant impact in South Africa. In eight Tests across three tours, Shami has taken 35 wickets at an impressive average of 23.33, including two five-wicket hauls. India's pace sensation loves bowling in South Africa. 

Mohammed Shami has an exceptional record at venues like the SuperSport Park in Centurion and the Newlands in Cape Town.


Zaheer Khan-30 wickets

In India the one name that stands head and shoulders above everyone is none other than Zaheer Khan. Zaheer is by far the greatest left-arm fast bowler that India has ever produced. His career spanned over a decade in which he represented India in all formats of the game and emerged as an outright match-winner.

Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan played eight Tests across four tours for 30 wickets in South Africa.