India’s highest wicket-takers in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket have set remarkable records. In Tests, a bowler has taken over 600 wickets, while in ODIs, the highest wicket-taker has claimed more than 330 wickets. In T20Is, a pacer has become the top wicket-taker with 99 wickets, contributing significantly across formats.
1. Test cricket – Anil Kumble (619 wickets)
Anil Kumble holds the record for the most Test wickets by an Indian bowler. Making his Test debut in 1990, Kumble quickly became a key figure in India’s bowling attack. He took 619 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65. His best innings figures of 10/74 came against Pakistan in 1999, making him the first Indian to take 10 wickets in a Test innings. Kumble also claimed 35 five-wicket hauls and served as India’s Test captain in 2007.
2. ODI cricket – Anil Kumble (334 wickets)
Anil Kumble is India’s highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with 334 wickets in 269 matches at an average of 30, including two five-wicket hauls. He played a key role in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, finishing as the highest wicket-taker for India, though the team reached the semi-finals and not the final. Despite his outstanding contributions, Kumble was never part of an ODI World Cup-winning side. His final ODI appearance came against Bermuda during the 2007 World Cup, marking the end of his illustrious limited-overs career.
3. T20I cricket – Arshdeep Singh (99 wickets)
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has surpassed seasoned bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. With 99 wickets in 63 T20Is at an impressive average of 18.3, he is on the verge of reaching the 100-wicket mark. Arshdeep’s standout performance came in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets. His crucial role in the tournament was instrumental in India’s title victory, cementing his place as a key figure in the squad.