Top 5 Visiting Fast Bowlers with Most Test Wickets In India Since 2000
James Anderson has most wickets as overseas pacer in Tests in India since 2000 [X.com]
Test remains the zenith for any cricketer, where a performance with either the bat or ball, can propel a career into superstardom, and a poor show can take the player into the deep dark world of rejections.
Bowlers, who are a fragile commodity in modern-day have challenges that are thrown towards them, which are natural and on many occasions seem unfair, like playing in sub-continental conditions, that are majorly helpful to spinners, and rarely assist pacers.
In the subcontinent, where the track turns from Day 1, especially in India, the fast bowlers are utilised in short spells and are given ample rest in between, so that whenever the ball reverses, or conditions become helpful they can work their magic with the ball.
While Asian bowlers are well-equipped for bowling on benign pitches, the pacers from SENA — South Africa, England, Australia, and New Zealand — find it extremely difficult to adjust line and length.
In this article, we at OneCricket deep dive into which visiting fast bowlers have taken the most wickets in Indian conditions in Test cricket since the turn of the millennia, keeping in mind the that England are soon-to-play a full- fledged five-match series against India starting January 25.
Top 5 Visiting Fast Bowlers With Most Test Wickets In India Since 2000
| Player | Country | Tests | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Anderson | England | 13 | 34 |
| Jason Gillespie | Australia | 7 | 33 |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 6 | 31 |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 6 | 26 |
| Andrew Flintoff | England | 8 | 24 |
James Anderson - 34
James Anderson will tour India for sixth time this year [X.com]
The longevity of England's James Anderson remains unchallenged and unrivalled, who will be making his sixth trip to India since his first in 2006. England's most prolific wicket-taker in red-ball cricket, Anderson is leading the list of players with the most wickets in India as a pacer since 2000, claiming 34 in 13 Tests, with most of them coming during the famous 2012 tour. England overcame the Indian challenge and won the four-Test series 2-1 with Anderson picking up 12 wickets.
Jason Gillespie - 33
Jason Gillespie starred during Australia's 2004 series in India [X.com]
A part of Australia's famed Test side, Jason Gillespie partnered with Glenn McGrath and played an instrumental part during the 2004 series, which the stand-in Adam Gilchrist captained side won. Gillespie not only used his pace but also added his sharpness, accurate line, and length, which enabled the bowler to pick up a total of 33 wickets in seven Test in India, including 20 in the 2004 tour, where the pacer was the third-highest wicket-taker.
Glenn McGrath - 31
Glenn McGrath claimed 17 series in India during 2000-01 series[X.com]
A bowler, who kept the best of batters under check, Australia's Glenn McGrath found more success against India in India than Down Under. In seven Tests in India after 2000, McGrath picked 31 wickets, whereas, during the famous 2000-01 series, the 53-year-old claimed 17 wickets, which the again backed up with 14 in the following 2004 series. McGrath played one Test during Australia's 1996 tour, claiming just 2 wickets in the Delhi contest.
Dale Steyn - 26
Dale Steyn blew apart India's batting during Nagpur Test claiming 7-for [X.com]
A bowler who terrified batters with his sheer pace, irrespective of the conditions, South Africa's Dale Steyn enjoyed great success against India in Test cricket, clinching 65 scalps. However, that success comes considerably down in India, where in six Tests the fast bowler has picked up 26 wickets, out of which 15 came during the 2008 drawn series. Steyn produced a rousing spell during the 2010 Nagpur Test, claiming seven wickets, and handing his side a 1-o lead.
Andrew Flintoff - 24
Andrew Flintoff (r) captain England during 2006 Mumbai Test win [X.com]
One all-rounder who changed the dynamics of Test cricket was England's Andrew Flintoff, who exhibited great batting prowess and boasted bowling abilities that troubled the very best. Flintoff used his height to great advantage and did not shy away from targeting the batter with body line bowling, which was showcased in India, where the star cricketer in eight matches picked up 24 wickets between 2001 and 2008.
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