Top Five Indian Fast Bowlers with Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket

India has long been celebrated as the land of legendary batters. From the technical brilliance of Sunil Gavaskar to the sheer dominance of Sachin Tendulkar and the modern-day consistency of Virat Kohli, Indian cricket has always had star-studded batting line-ups.

But what often goes under the radar is the remarkable contribution of India's fast bowlers in Test cricket. While spinners have traditionally thrived on turning tracks at home, Indian pacers have had to work twice as hard—both to make an impact on dry, unhelpful pitches and to deliver match-winning performances overseas.

Despite these challenges, India's fast bowlers have built a legacy of their own. They have played a crucial role in some of India’s most historic Test wins, especially abroad, where pace and bounce favor their craft.

In this article, let’s take a look at the five Indian fast bowlers who have taken the most 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket. 

5. Javagal Srinath – 10

Javagal Srinath was India’s premier fast bowler during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He made his Test debut in 1991 against Australia at the Gabba and went on to become one of the country’s most dependable pace spearheads. Over the course of his career, Srinath claimed 236 wickets in 67 Test matches at an average of 30.5, including 10 five-wicket hauls.

His finest performance came in 1999 against arch-rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where he tore through their batting lineup with a sensational spell of 8 for 86 — his best figures in Test cricket.

4. Ishant Sharma – 11

Ishant Sharma is tied with Zaheer Khan for the third-most Test wickets by an Indian fast bowler, with 311 wickets in 105 matches.

He made his Test debut back in 2007 and went on to take 11 five-wicket hauls. During the 2010s, when Indian cricket was going through a transition, Ishant played a key role in leading the fast bowling attack and helped shape the strong pace unit India has today.

His last Test appearance came in 2021, against New Zealand in Kanpur.

3. Zaheer Khan – 11

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan was one of the most skillful pacers of his generation. Renowned for his ability to swing the new ball, he was equally lethal with the old ball, mastering the art of reverse swing.

Over the course of his Test career, Zaheer played 92 matches and claimed 311 wickets at an average of 32.94. He picked up 11 five-wicket hauls, showcasing his match-winning potential time and again. His best Test figures came in 2010 in Dhaka against Bangladesh, where he produced a brilliant spell of 7 for 87 in the second innings.

2. Jasprit Bumrah – 14

Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation. Over the course of his Test career, he has already claimed 14 five-wicket hauls, showcasing his consistency and match-winning ability.

What sets Bumrah apart is his remarkable bowling average — among bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets, he boasts the best average in history, an astonishing 19.33.

His best bowling figures in an innings came against the West Indies in Kingston in 2019, where he dismantled the opposition with a fiery spell of 6 for 27.

1. Kapil Dev – 23

It’s impossible to discuss the history of Indian cricket without mentioning Kapil Dev. The legendary former captain leads an elite list with an outstanding 23 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

Kapil Dev concluded his illustrious Test career in 1994 with 434 wickets in 131 matches at an average of 29.64. A true all-rounder, he also made significant contributions with the bat, amassing 5,248 runs during his career.

His best bowling performance came in 1983 against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, where he recorded sensational figures of 9 for 83 — a spell that remains etched in cricketing history.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official