Top 5 highest wicket takers in India vs England Test series

Over the years, several players have etched their names in the cricket folklores by performing well in series played between India and England. The rivalry between India and England is one of the oldest and most celebrated in the game and thus it gives the players a chance to become an instant hero. Well, the Indian and English players will get a similar opportunity in the coming days when India and England lock horns against this month.

India are hosting England for a full-fledged series comprising of four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs. While there is absolutely no undermining the value of the limited-overs series, one can say that all the eyes will be on the Test series. The much-anticipated series gets underway on February 5 in Chennai. The second Test will be held at the same venue while Ahmedabad will host the next two Tests.

A lot will be at stake in the upcoming series. The series will determine the remaining one finalist for the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. And with India as well as England in the race for the elusive spot, a cracking series is on the cards. As players from both teams gear up for the huge series, we are taking a look at bowlers who have been the most successful in the India-England Tests.

Here is the list of top 5 highest wicket takers in India vs England Tests

5. Kapil Dev – 85 wickets:

Former India captain Kapil Dev is fifth in the list. One of the greatest allrounders in the history of the game, Kapil Dev has fond memories of playing against England as well as playing in England. It was the very country where he led India to their first-ever World Cup triumph. Coming to his record with the ball against England in Tests, Kapil picked up 85 wickets in 27 Tests. He averaged 37.34 with the ball against the English team. Overall, Kapil picked up 434 wickets in Tests at an average of 29.64. He also scored more than 5,000 runs in the longest format of the game.

4. Bishan Singh Bedi – 85 wickets:

At number four in the list is spin great Bishan Singh Bedi. Just like Kapil Dev, Bedi also picked up 85 Tests wickets against England but took three fewer games for that. Bedi played 22 Tests against England and averaged 29.87 with the ball. His best figures in an innings against them was 6 for 71. Overall, Bedi, who also led India, played 67 Tests between 1967 and 1979 and picked up 266 wickets with the help of 14 five-wicket hauls.

3. Anil Kumble – 92 wickets:

One of Test cricket’s most decorated spinner Anil Kumble occupies the third spot in this elite list. Kumble, who is one of the only two players to take all ten wickets in a Test inning, played 19 Tests against England and picked up 92 wickets. The former leg-spinner averaged 30.59 against England while his best figures in an innings were 7 for 115. Kumble also scored a century against England in Tests. The legendary bowler is the highest wicket-taker in Tests for India with 619 scalps to his name.

2. Bhagwat Subramanya Chandrasekhar – 95 wickets:

Bhagwat Subramanya Chandrasekhar occupies the second spot in the list and is India’s highest wicket-taker against England in the oldest format of the game. During his illustrious career, Chandrasekhar played 23 Tests against England and picked up 95 wickets at an average of 27.27. Known for his exploits in overseas Tests where he picked up an impressive 42 wickets in just 5 Tests, Chandrasekhar represented India in 58 Tests between 1964 and 1979 and picked up 242 wickets at an average of 29.74.

1. James Anderson – 110 wickets:

The only English as well as a current player in the list, James Anderson is the highest wicket-taker in India-England Tests. So far, he has picked up 110 wickets in 27 Tests at an average of 25.98 against India. His average against India is better than his overall average of 26.60. The first pacer to take 600 Test wickets and England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, Anderson had played a crucial role when his team stunned India by winning the series in their own backyard in 2012.

Anderson had complemented spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar by taking 12 wickets and the visitors would be eyeing a similar performance from their pace spearhead in the upcoming series.