The red-hot emergence of Indian bowlers in world cricket has contributed massively to the success of the Indian Cricket Team (ICT). Historically, South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) have been the toughest places to tour if we consider India’s performance in these countries. SENA countries are known for faster, bouncy wickets. Here in this article, we look at the top 10 Indian bowlers having the highest wickets in SENA countries.
1. Anil Kumble
Fondly nicknamed “Jumbo” and perhaps the greatest spinner to ever represent India in international cricket, Anil Kumble is India's highest wicket-taker in SENA countries, with 141 test wickets to his name. He has bowled countless spells that have bailed India out of trouble by foxing innumerable batsmen.
2. Ishant Sharma
One of the veteran pacers in world cricket, Ishant Sharma, has 130 scalps in the SENA countries. He is fondly nicknamed “Lambu” because of his tall and lean appearance. He is the second Indian pace bowler to feature in 100 tests. He is also the third Indian pacer to take 300 test wickets.
3. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan is one of the greatest left-arm new-ball bowlers of all time, a maestro at the art of reverse swing, a formidable bowler in the test arena, and a World Cup hero. India's leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, he has 119 wickets to his name in SENA countries.
4. Mohammad Shami
A gun bowler across all formats and one of only two Indians to take a World Cup hat-trick, Mohammad Shami, has 119 wickets to his name in SENA countries. He has flourished tremendously in the overseas conditions for India. He was India's second-highest wicket-taker at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 and 2019.
5. Kapil Dev
India's first World cup winning captain and one of the greatest all-rounders the world has seen, Kapil Dev, has 117 wickets on SENA soil. He is the youngest captain to win the ODI World Cup and the only player to have 4000-plus runs and 400-plus wickets to his name in test cricket.
6. Jasprit Bumrah
The spearhead of India's modern-day pace bowling, Jasprit Bumrah, is currently one of the best bowlers in the world across all formats. The diamond of Indian fast bowling, he has 101 scalps to his name in SENA countries. He has five-wicket hauls in SA, WI, ENG, AUS, and IND in tests.
7. Javagal Srinath
He is one of India’s greatest and fastest bowlers. He is the first among Indian fast bowlers to take 300 or more wickets in one-day internationals. He was the spearhead of the Indian pace battery for a large part of his career. The legendary pace bowler heralded a period of awakening for Indian pace bowling. He has 99 scalps to his name in SENA countries.
8. Bishan Bedi
Bishan Singh Bedi is highly admired as one of the best Indian spinners of all time. He succeeded Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as captain of the Indian team in 1976. Playing 67 tests for India, he has 266 wickets to his name. He has 90 wickets to his name in England, New Zealand, and Australia.
9. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar was one of the greatest spinners in the history of Indian cricket. The legendary leg spinner picked up 242 wickets in 58 Tests. One of India’s greatest match-winners overseas, he had great returns in England in 1967 and 1971, West Indies in the year 1976, and Australia in 1977-78. He has 71 wickets in England, New Zealand, and Australia.
10. Ravichandran Ashwin
One of the greatest spinners ever in the history of cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin, is India's second-highest wicket-taker in tests. With each match, his records only continue to grow. He is the sixth spinner in the cricketing world to take 400 or more wickets. While his records might not be as exceptional in the SENA countries as in home conditions, he still has 70 test wickets to his name.
