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Top 5 Highest Wicket-Takers in India vs Sri Lanka: The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka (India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 ) is set to begin on August 15. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, Team India will take the field aiming to maintain its impressive record against Sri Lanka. Before the series kicks off, let us look at the legendary players who have made the greatest impact for both teams in the history of Test matches between India and Sri Lanka.
IND vs SL Test History: Top 5 Highest Wicket-Takers
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list of bowlers with the most wickets in Test matches played between India and Sri Lanka. Notably, apart from Muralitharan, the other four bowlers in the top five are Indians. You can view a summary of the statistics for all these bowlers in the table below:
| Bowler | Team | Matches | Wickets | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 22 | 105 | 7 |
| Anil Kumble | India | 18 | 74 | 4 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 11 | 62 | 3 |
| Harbhajan Singh | India | 16 | 53 | 2 |
| Kapil Dev | India | 14 | 45 | 1 |
Most Successful Bowlers in India vs Sri Lanka Tests
5. Kapil Dev (45 Wickets)
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Legendary captain Kapil Dev, who led India to its first ODI World Cup victory in 1983, also features on this list. He took 45 wickets in 14 Test matches against Sri Lanka. Kapil’s bowling average was 26.55, reflecting his impact on the game. His best performance against Sri Lanka was taking five wickets for 110 runs.
4. Harbhajan Singh (53 Wickets)
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Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also made his mark in Test matches against Sri Lanka. He claimed 53 wickets in 16 Test matches. Harbhajan’s bowling average stood at 39.77. He achieved the feat of taking five wickets in an innings twice. His best performance against Sri Lanka was taking seven wickets for 62 runs.
Also Read: SA20 2027 Retention List: Full Squads & Released Players
3. Ravichandran Ashwin (62 Wickets)
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Modern-day great off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin holds the third spot on this list. He has taken 62 wickets in 11 Test matches against Sri Lanka. Ashwin has claimed five wickets in an innings three times. His best performance against Sri Lanka is taking six wickets for 46 runs. Given the impact of spin bowlers in Sri Lankan conditions, Ashwin's record holds special significance for the Indian team.
2. Anil Kumble (74 Wickets)
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The record for the most Test wickets taken by an Indian against Sri Lanka belongs to the legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble. Kumble claimed 74 wickets in 18 Test matches against Sri Lanka. During this time, he took five wickets in an innings on four occasions. His bowling average against Sri Lanka was 31.20. His precise line and length, combined with his ability to bowl long spells, made him a difficult bowler for Sri Lankan batsmen to face.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (105 Wickets)
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Muttiah Muralitharan, the only bowler to claim 800 wickets in Test cricket, delivered outstanding performances against India. He took a total of 105 wickets in 22 Test matches against India. During this period, Muralitharan achieved the feat of taking five or more wickets in an innings seven times. Facing his spin was always a major challenge for Indian batsmen. Muralitharan still holds the record for the most wickets taken in India-Sri Lanka Test encounters.
Also Read: IND vs SL Tests: Top 5 Highest Run-Scorers in India vs Sri Lanka
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