Fastest Indian bowlers to reach 50 wickets in Tests

Harbhajan Singh (11 matches, 2785 balls)

The ‘Turbanator’ when came on to the international scene was the perfect example of a small-town boy, making it big at the highest level. Holding the record of being the second Indian and the first one in Test cricket to take a hat-trick, the data sheet of Harbhajan speaks for itself. Finding his spot in the Indian team as a replacement of Anil Kumble, the legendary leg-spinner, Harbhajan took the opportunity with both hands and grabbed 32 wickets in the 3 matches he played and then after, he became a regular in the Indian side.

But, it was his excellent performance in the famous 2001 Kolkata Test against Australia, with match figures of 13 wickets in the 68.1 overs he bowled, earned him the recognition he deserved. He continued from there on, picking wickets after wickets in Test matches and getting closer and closer to featuring in the list of the fastest Indian bowlers to get to 50 wickets in Test matches.

Playing his 11th match against the Aussies on the 21st of March 2001, he got his name into the record books after taking a wicket off the 2,785th delivery of his career, completing a half-century of wickets.