Top five Indian bowlers with most Test wickets in a calendar year

India has long been recognized as one of the most formidable batting nations in cricket history. The country has given rise to numerous batting legends, including Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and currently, Virat Kohli.

However, India's bowling prowess has frequently been overlooked. Notable instances include their remarkable defense of 143 runs to secure a victory in Melbourne in 1981, as well as their successful defense of 107 runs in the final innings in Mumbai in 2004. Indian bowlers have been instrumental in achieving numerous memorable triumphs in Test cricket. 

In this article, let’s take a look at the top five Indian bowlers with most Test wickets in a calendar year.

5. Jasprit Bumrah – 71 wickets, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah exhibited exceptional performance in 2024, claiming 71 test wickets across 26 innings with an impressive average of merely 14.92, including five instances of five-wicket hauls. He emerged as a key player for India during their notable triumphs in Cape Town and Perth.

Bumrah’s best bowling performance in 2024 came against England in Vishakhapatnam, where he picked up 6/45 to bowl out the visitors for 253 runs.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 72 wickets, 2016

Ravichandran Ashwin, recognized for his exceptional ability to deliver the ball with precision, concluded the year 2016 with an impressive record of 72 test wickets across 23 innings, achieving an average of 23.9. Ashwin’s tally that year included eight five-wicket hauls.

His best bowling performance that year was 7/59 against New Zealand in the second innings of the Indore Test. His remarkable performance contributed to India's victory in that match, which they won by a substantial margin of 321 runs.

3. Anil Kumble – 74 wickets, 2004

India’s greatest-ever spinner, Anil Kumble registered his name in the history books in 2004. The Indian spinner claimed 74 wickets in just 23 innings, at a remarkable bowling average of 24.83.

Kumble's most notable bowling achievement that year was his remarkable figures of 8 wickets for 141 runs, achieved during a match against Australia in Sydney. His efforts helped the visitors secure a draw to end the four-match series 1-1.

2. Kapil Dev – 74 wickets, 1979

Considered as the greatest all-rounder in Indian cricket history, Kapil Dev achieved the remarkable feat of taking 74 wickets in merely 29 test innings during the year 1979. By the end of that year, he had accumulated five five-wicket hauls in Test matches.

Kapil’s impressive wicket tally came at an excellent average of 22.95 and a strike rate of 48. His best bowling performance of 6/63 that year came against Pakistan at Kanpur.

1. Kapil Dev – 75 wickets, 1983

Kapil Dev holds the record of having taken the highest number of Test wickets by an Indian bowler within a single calendar year. The year 1983 was particularly significant for Kapil, as he captained the Indian team to its first World Cup victory.

The speedster ended the year with an impressive tally of 75 Test wickets, achieved in only 25 innings, resulting in an average of 23.18 and including five instances of five-wicket hauls. Kapil's standout bowling performance of 9/83 during that year was recorded against the West Indies in Ahmedabad.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official