Test cricket is considered to be the toughest format of cricket. Bodies are at stake, patience is tested and character is tested by fire. The format has seen some stellar performances from cricketers across the globe and we have witnessed some of the most thrilling matches in its over 145 year long history. Indian stars have come a long way in this format. The Indian team is dominant and there have been some bowlers who are a nightmare in the batsmen’s mind.
choice of Jasprit BumrahRavi Ashwin and Mohammed Shami These are some recent examples while Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan were the bowlers who adopted this format in the 1990s and 2000s. But do you know who is the Indian bowler with the most wickets in the pure format?
A small hint can help you. His dedication and determination needs no introduction. An Indian star literally played with a broken jaw to help his team in a Test match when they were one bowler short. Yes, that person is none other than Anil Kumble. The Indian leggie playing with a bandaged face can be said to be synonymous with dedication.
In Kumble’s 18-year-long Test career, he took more than 600 wickets in the longest format. He is the only Indian to take more than 500 wickets and is the fourth highest wicket-taker in this format worldwide. Kumble was earlier overtaken by veteran England star James Anderson, who is now in third place.
Top five wicket takers in Tests:
Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan is undoubtedly the leading wicket-taker in this format with 800 wickets. Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and England’s Anderson (686) are second and third respectively. Kumble has 619 wickets and is followed by another England star, Stuart Broad, who has 588 wickets.
Top five Indian wicket takers:
Kumble topped the list, followed by Ravi Ashwin (474), Kapil Dev (434), Harbhajan Singh (417). Ishant Sharma (311) Complete the top five. Kumble played Test cricket for 18 years after making his debut in 1990. Overall, the former India coach has played 132 Test matches. He retired from this format in 2008.