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IND vs SL: Test cricket contests between India and Sri Lanka have always been thrilling. In this red-ball format, Indian bowlers have frequently held the upper hand over Sri Lankan batsmen. Indian spinners and fast bowlers, in particular, have showcased their brilliance on both home soil and Sri Lankan turf.
Let us take a look at the top 5 bowlers who have taken the most wickets for India in Test matches against Sri Lanka. It is worth noting that all the players on this list have retired from Test cricket, and none of them are currently part of the active team.
Most Test Wickets for India vs Sri Lanka in Test
| Rank | Bowler Name | Total Wickets | Bowling Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anil Kumble | 74 | - |
| 2 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 62 | 3 / 1 |
| 3 | Harbhajan Singh | 53 | 2 / 2 |
| 4 | Kapil Dev | 45 | 1 / 0 |
| 5 | Ishant Sharma | 36 | 1 / 0 |
Detailed Analysis: Top 5 Highest Wicket-Takers vs Sri Lanka in Tests
5. Ishant Sharma - 6 Wickets
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Tall fast bowler Ishant Sharma ranks fifth on the list of Indian bowlers with the most Test wickets against Sri Lanka. In the 12 Test matches he played against Sri Lanka, Ishant claimed 36 wickets, including one five-wicket haul, leveraging his excellent swing and bounce.
Key Highlight: 36 wickets in 12 Tests with one five-wicket haul.
4. Kapil Dev - 45 Wickets
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Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev, who led India to its first World Cup victory as captain, holds the fourth spot. Kapil Dev claimed a total of 45 wickets in the 14 Test matches he played against Sri Lanka between 1982 and 1994. During this period, he achieved the feat of taking a five-wicket haul in an innings against the Sri Lankan team once.
Key Highlight: 45 wickets in 14 Test matches.
Also Read: Most Test Wickets by Left-Arm Bowlers: Mitchell Starc Tops the Record
3. Harbhajan Singh - 53 Wickets
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India's former star off-spinner, 'The Turbator' Harbhajan Singh, ranks third on this list. Harbhajan claimed a total of 53 wickets against Sri Lanka in the Test format. He recorded a bowling average of 39 and a strike rate of 75 during this time. He achieved the feat of taking five wickets in an innings twice and ten wickets in a match twice against Sri Lanka.
Key Highlight: 53 wickets with two five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin - 62 Wickets
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Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin holds the second spot on this list. Ashwin claimed a total of 62 wickets against Sri Lanka in just 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 21.93. During this period, he maintained a strike rate of 43 and achieved the feat of taking five wickets in an innings three times and ten wickets in a match once against Sri Lankan batsmen.
Key Highlight: 62 wickets in 11 Tests with an impressive average of 21.93.
1. Anil Kumble - 74 Wickets
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Former Indian captain and legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble holds the top spot on this list. Kumble established tremendous dominance over the Sri Lankan team, claiming the highest number of wickets, 74, against them in Test cricket. Over his long career, Kumble claimed a total of 619 wickets in 132 Test matches, making him India's most successful bowler.
Key Highlight: 74 wickets against Sri Lanka in Tests.
Also Read: IND vs SL Tests: Top 5 Highest Wicket-Takers in India vs Sri Lanka
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