Top 5 Wicket-Takers In India vs England Tests

image-lrls3q16Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (X.COM)

The India-England rivalry has witnessed the evolution of cricket, with changes in playing styles, strategies, and the overall landscape of the game.The cricketing rivalry between India and England has indeed produced many memorable moments and iconic performances over the years. Both nations have a rich cricketing history, and their clashes on the field are eagerly awaited by fans around the world. 

The battles on the field have been marked by fierce competition, with matches swinging in favour of either team. The ebb and flow of fortunes have added to the drama and excitement associated with this rivalry.

India-England Test cricket rivalry is steeped in history and has been a cornerstone of the cricketing world for over a century.The role of bowlers in Test cricket, particularly on subcontinental pitches like those in India, is indeed crucial, and their performance often plays a decisive role in the outcome of the series. The spin-friendly tracks in India often provide a challenging environment for visiting teams, and both sides will heavily rely on their bowling units to deliver decisive performances.

India and England will be up against each other in a five-match Test series, which gets underway on Thursday, January 25. At OneCricket, let's take a look at the most wickets in India vs England Tests. 


1. James Anderson (ENG)

image-lrlppq9wVeteran English pacer-James Anderson (X.COM)

James Anderson's performances against India have indeed been a defining aspect of his illustrious career. The veteran English pacer, known for his ability to swing the ball and consistently trouble batsmen, has had many memorable duels against the Indian cricket team. Anderson's seam movement, coupled with his ability to extract bounce from the pitch, adds an element of unpredictability to his deliveries.

James Anderson's record as the leading wicket-taker in Test matches between India and England is a testament to his skill and longevity in the game. His statistics in these encounters underscore his impact and effectiveness against Indian batsmen in the Test format.

Anderson is the only bowler to have taken more than 100 wickets in India vs England Tests. The star bowler has picked up 139 wickets from 35 matches at an economy rate of 2.71 with six five-wicket hauls to his name.

James Anderson's success in India vs England Test matches is a testament to his mastery of swing bowling, adaptability to different conditions, and his enduring impact on the cricketing stage. 

2. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar (IND)

image-lrlqc3q4Bhagwath Chandrasekhar-legendary Indian leg-spinner (X.COM)

Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, the legendary Indian leg-spinner, indeed left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, and his performances against England showcased his brilliance and mastery of leg-spin.

The maestro leg-spinner, known for his exceptional leg-breaks and googlies, which made him a potent force in the spin department. His ability to consistently deceive batsmen with variations and subtle changes in flight and trajectory set him apart.

The leg-spinner played 23 Tests in which he accounted for 95 wickets with eight five-wicket hauls to his name. In fact, the veteran holds the record for most five-wicket hauls in Tests between India and England.

3. Anil Kumble (IND)

Anil Kumble, known for his incredible accuracy, variations, and clever use of pace, was a stalwart of Indian cricket and a formidable force in Test matches against England. While not a big turner of the ball like some other spinners, Kumble's ability to extract bounce and deceive batsmen with subtle variations made him a highly effective leg-spinner. 

One of Test cricket’s most decorated spinner Anil Kumble who is one of the only two players to take all ten wickets in a Test inning, played 19 Tests against England and picked up 92 wickets. The former leg-spinner averaged 30.59 against England while his best figures in an innings were 7 for 115.

Kumble's prowess as a match-winner is further exemplified by his 10-wicket haul in a single match against England. Achieving such a feat underscores his ability to dominate and dismantle the opposition.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin (IND)

image-lrlr4lirRavichandran Ashwin 

Ravichandran Ashwin has indeed established himself as a modern-day spin maestro and has been a formidable force, especially against England. His off-spin aptitude, clever variations, and strategic astuteness have made him a key asset for the Indian cricket team. 

Ravi Ashwin has been a prolific wicket-taker for India, especially on home soil where batters have struggled to get on top of him. He is known for his bag of tricks, including variations in flight, pace, and subtle changes in trajectory. These variations make it difficult for batsmen to predict his deliveries, adding an element of surprise to his bowling.

The veteran has taken 88 wickets from 19 matches at an economy rate of 2.77 with six five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul to his name. 

5. Bishan Singh Bedi (IND)

image-lrlrn76hBishan Singh Bedi left-arm spin wizard (X.COM) 

Bishan Singh Bedi, left-arm spin wizard left an indelible mark against England. His classical left-arm orthodox spin and mastery over flight and variations posed a significant challenge for batsmen. 

Bishan Singh Bedi's skill, control, and ability to turn the ball made him a formidable force in the spin department during his era. The left-arm spinner picked up 85 wickets from 22 matches with four five-wicket hauls to show for his efforts.