In today’s game, cricket is becoming dynamic, and mostly batsman dominates. In today’s era, there are several restrictions, like restrictions on bouncers and fielders. In the ODI, there are two new balls, which makes it more difficult for bowlers to take wickets. But some high-quality Indian bowlers are great in this game. They can swing the balls irrespective of the conditions. So, here’s a list of ten best Indian swing bowlers.
1. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev was the first proper fast bowler of India. Back in the 80s, every team used to have at least two or three fast bowlers. Kapil Dev was the one who used to give tough competition to all other bowlers. His ability to swing the ball in both ways was exceptional. When the ball used to get old, he could reverse it, making it unplayable for batters to play. He was the first Indian to take 400 wickets in test cricket. In ODIs, he has 253 doors.
2. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan is the best left-arm left pacer that India has ever produced. He played crucial in the 2011 World Cup, as he was the highest wicket-taker in that World Cup. Zaheer Khan had all the qualities that a swing bowler needs. With a new ball, he could deceive the bowlers. In death overs, he could stop the opponents’s batters in low total. Apart from his swinging ability, he had a very accurate bowling action, which made it more challenging to play.
3. Javagal Srinath
After Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath was the one who controlled the fast bowling department of India. He was a mixture of all kinds of attributes. Javagal Srinath had excellent action, Seam quality, and Swing quality. He could bowl 145+ kmph as well. With the new ball, Srinath swung the bowl in both ways. Srinath has fantastic stats, as he has played 67 test matches in which he took 236 wickets, and he has also taken 315 wickets in 229 ODIs.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Many few bowlers get the debut wicket like Bhuvneshwar Kumar got. In 2012, Bhuvneshwar Kumar debuted against Pakistan, and in the first bowl, he bolded Mohammad Hafeez. In first Class Cricket, Bhuvi has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar as well. He is the bowler who has the best inswing ball in India. So far, he has played 21 tests, 121 ODIs, and 87 T20Is, in which he has taken 63, 141 and 90 wickets respectively.
5. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami is the bowler who can change the game on his own. He has an adorable bowling action; for swing, bowlers must have their control on the wrist. Mohammed Shami has solid control over his wrist. That is why he is one of the best swing bowlers in the world. In the World Cup, Shami has taken 36 wickets in 12 matches with an average of 15. When it comes to the World Cup, Shami is the beast.
6. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is the backbone of Indian fast bowling. He has everything in his game like he can bowl in start, death, and middle overs. Bumrah’s quick arm action makes it more difficult for batters to play him. As many bowlers lose their line and pace after injury, Bumrah is the one who is not affected by injury. He can move the bowl in both ways. His ability to bowl yorker creates problems for batters in death overs.
7. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan was the All-rounder who played a significant role in the 2007 World Cup. He was the Man of the Match in the 2007 T20 Finals. As an All-Rounder, he had excellent control of the ball. In 2006, India toured of Pakistan. In 3rd test match, Irfan Pathan took the hat trick and deceived Pakistan’s batters. On that tour, he took bowling lessons from Wasim Akram as well. Irfan Pathan has 100 wickets in 29 test matches and 173 in 120 ODIs.
8. Mohammed Siraj
India’s aggressive fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, was one of the heroes of India’s iconic series win in Australia. Because of his bowling, India won the test at Lord’s in 2021. Mohammed Siraj has the natural in-swinger, which deceives batters. Recently, in the Asia Cup Final match against Sri Lanka, he single-handedly destroyed the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Siraj became a very dangerous bowler with a new ball, and currently, he is one of the leading bowlers in India.
9. Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar is one of the most underrated cricketers in India. He was an all-rounder who played 26 test matches and 191 ODIs. Few people know that he has his name on Lord’s Century Board. With the new ball, Ajit Agarkar used to swing the ball in both directions. In deathovers, he used to bowl economically. He is 3rd leading wickets taker of India with 288 wickets in ODIs.
10. Praveen Kumar
Despite his Short International Career, Praveen Kumar emerged as one of the best swing bowlers that India has ever produced. He could swing the new balls effectively. In his career, he played six tests, 68 ODIs, and 10 T20Is in which he has 27, 77, and 8 wickets respectively. In 2018, this fantastic bowler announced his retirement from all game formats.
