By Ravi - Jul 28, 2025 07:28 PM
The India vs England Test rivalry has given cricket fans some of the most thrilling encounters and spectacular performances. Both teams have had a plethora of world-class bowlers who have consistently given a tough fight to the opposition batsmen. Keeping this historic rivalry in mind, let's take a look at the top 5 highest wicket-takers in the history of the India vs England Test series.
England's James Anderson has been a constant thorn in the side of the Indian batsmen. With his unmatched skills in both swing and reverse swing and his brilliant long innings, he has taken an incredible 149 wickets in 39 Tests against India. From dismissing top-order stalwarts to getting the lower-order batsmen out, Anderson's artistry with the red ball has been a distinctive feature of this rivalry.
Spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin is leading India. With 114 wickets in 24 matches against England, Ashwin has been India's most successful bowler in the competition. His variations, subtle changes in pace and ability to exploit the turn on Indian pitches have often proved to be a burden for the English batsmen. Ashwin has taken five wickets eight times against England.
Legendary Indian leg-spinner BS Chandrasekhar took 95 wickets in just 23 matches against England. Chandrasekhar's unique bowling and unplayable googly troubled many of the top English batsmen of the time. His ability to bowl match-winning spells, often out of nowhere, made him one to watch and always put opposing teams in trouble.
Anil Kumble, India's highest Test wicket-taker, also features prominently on this list, taking 92 wickets in 19 matches against England. Known for his relentless accuracy, bounce and deceptive flippers, Kumble was a true workhorse who performed consistently for India. His influence in a variety of conditions and his ability to bowl long, intense spells made him a key player in India's Test history against England.
Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi took 85 wickets in 22 matches against England. Bedi was known for his classic left-arm spin and incredible control. His flight, loop and ability to turn the ball sharply made him a constant threat. Bedi's economical bowling and his ability to take crucial wickets in conjunction with the other Indian spinners played a key role in many of India's performances against England.
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