Top bowlers with most 5 wicket hauls in Test cricket

By Ravi - Aug 03, 2025 05:27 PM
Last updated on Aug 03, 2025 05:27 PM

Top bowlers with most 5 wicket hauls in Test cricket

Many legends have etched their names in the record books in Test cricket. Batsmen have received more accolades, but bowlers have dominated the record books. And the biggest achievement for a bowler is taking five wickets in an innings or ten wickets in a match. Single-handedly dismissing half the batting team is a commendable feat, so let's take a look at the top 5 bowlers with the most number of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

If there is one bowler whose name is known for wickets, it is Muttiah Muralitharan. The Sri Lankan wizard is so ahead in this contest that his record seems almost unbreakable. In 133 Tests, Murali holds the amazing record of taking five wickets in an innings 67 times. Muttiah Muralitharan was a scourge for batsmen around the world. His ability to move the ball brilliantly on any surface earned him a five-wicket haul in almost every second Test match—a testimony to his unmatched influence.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become one of India's greatest off-spinners since his Test debut in 2011. In 101 Test matches, he has 521 wickets and 37 five-wicket hauls. He has also taken ten-wicket hauls eight times, with his best performance being 7/59 against New Zealand in the 2016/17 season.

3. Shane Warne (Australia)

Australia's Shane Warne is the best leg-spinner in Test cricket history and the first bowler to take 700 wickets in the format. He made his Test debut against India in 1992 and took 708 wickets in his 145-Test career for Australia, including a hat-trick. Warne took a total of 37 five-wicket hauls in Tests, with his best performance being 8/71 against England in 1994/95.

4. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)

Sir Richard Hadlee is considered to be the best bowler New Zealand has ever produced. Hadlee made his debut for New Zealand in 1973 and played his last Test in 1990. Apart from taking 431 wickets, he also became the first bowler in Test history to cross the 400-wicket mark. Hadlee's best performance was taking 9 wickets for 52 runs in the Brisbane Test against Australia in 1985. He also took five wickets in an innings 36 times and 10 wickets in a match nine times in his career.

5. Anil Kumble (India)

Anil Kumble, India's greatest leg-spinner, broke many records in his amazing career. In a career that began against England in 1990, he took 619 wickets in 132 Tests for India. Kumble took 35 five-wicket hauls in Tests, with his best performance being a record 10/74 against Pakistan in the 1999 Delhi Test.

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