The Border Gavaskar Trophy or the ‘BGT’s is a bilateral series that is played between two mighty cricket nations, Australia, and India. The first-ever BGT was played in 1996-97 in Delhi, India. It comprised only a test match which India won. Since then, fifteen more BGT series have been played, out of which, India has won 10 and Australia has won five. The four-match test- series in 2003/04 stands leveled at 1-1. The rivalry between the two nations is one of the greatest in test cricket. The modern-day greats including Virat Kohli, Nathon Lyon, Steven Smith, and Ravichandran Ashwin have carried forward the legacy of a fierce rivalry. Let us have a look at the top 10 wicket-takers for India in the BGT.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin
The off-spin Maestro from Chennai has redefined the art of spine bowling. In India, where the spinners are available in abundance, Ashwin made his way through consistent performances in the shortest format of the game. His street smartness and ability to use variations at the right time have made him one of India’s greatest spinners. An off-spinner who carried Harbhajan Singh’s legacy forward after his retirement, Ashiwn has come a long way in the longest format of the game. Also, a very capable batter down the order, Ashwin has smashed five 100s in the test format. India’s best test bowler, Ashwin, has taken 114 wickets, the most for India against Australia in tests.
2. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble was one of the finest spinners in India. The right-arm leg-spinner went through the batter’s defense quite easily. Kumble once took a 10-wicket haul in an inning against Pakistan in 1999 and became the first bowler to do so. The leading wicket-taker for India in tests, Kumble scalped 619 wickets in 236 innings in the longest format. He was also a decent batter down the order and often played the night watchman role. The tall leg-spinner took 111 wickets for India in the border Gavaskar Trophy with best figures of 8/141 in an innings.
3. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh was a former right-arm off-break bowler for India across formats. His famous ‘monkey gate’ incident with Andrew Symonds will never be forgotten in the history of Indian cricket. The bowler used to bowl with his heart. The passion, determination, and the will to win each game defined the tough Harbhajan Singh. Lovingly called ‘Bhajji” by his teammates, he was one of the best Indian spinners. The bowler also worked on his batting and became a bowling all-rounder during the latter stages of his career. He also has two test centuries to his name. Harbhajan took 95 wickets for India in the BGT.
4. Ravindra Jadeja
One of team India’s most valuable assets over the years, Ravindra Jadeja, is a left-arm orthodox bowler and a left-handed lower middle-order batter for India across formats. The bowling all-rounder is also one of the best fielders in the world currently. His rocket-arm throw and ability to move quickly have made him one of the most agile cricketers. Jadeja is always there in every playing X1 because of his ability to dominate all three departments of cricket. Jadeja is one of India’s best all-rounders to play the sport. His bowling has defined his career more than his batting because of his ability to give India regular breakthroughs. He has taken 89 wickets in the BGT.
5. Kapil Dev
The former Indian skipper who led India to its first World Cup glory in 1983, Kapil Dev, the Haryana Hurricane, was a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a capable batter down the order. He played the test format for thirteen years after making his debut in 1979. Kapil Dev was a wonderful leader who filled his team with passion and led by example. The former skipper represented India in 20 matches in the border Gavaskar Trophy and scalped 79 wickets.
6. Zaheer Khan
One of India's rare left-arm medium-fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan, was one of the finest pacers for India across formats. He played a huge role in the 2011 WC triumph by taking 21 wickets in nine matches. He was a smart bowler who bowled attacking lines and lengths and easily deceived the batters. Zaheer played test cricket for 11 years and took 311 wickets. The left-arm pacer played nineteen matches against Australia in the BGT and took 61 wickets with the best figures of 5/91.
7. Ishant Sharma
The right-arm medium-fast bowler for India across formats was a great contributor for India in the bowling department. As the years went by, the tall pacer proved to be a wicket-taking bowler for India. Ishant made his test debut against Bangladesh in 2007 and became a quite significant bowler for India in no time. He has taken 311 test wickets, of which 59 have come against Australia in the BGT.
8. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav is a right-arm fast bowler for India. He is a prominent part of the test squad and has proved to be a wicket-taking bowler. He made his test debut against the West Indies in 2011 and has played 57 tests so far. The Indian fast bowler has taken 170 test wickets, of which 51 have come in the BGT.
9. Mohammed Shami
Mohammaed Shami is the leading wicket-taker for India in the World Cups. He broke this record and passed Zaheer Khan during the ongoing World Cup. The right-arm, fast bowler made his test debut against the West Indies and has taken 229 wickets in 64 tests. In the BGT, the bowler has scalped 40 wickets.
10. Jasprit Bumrah
The most skillful fast bowler in modern-day cricket, Jasprit Bumrah, is one of the best bowlers in India. The versatile bowler has the skill set to perform in every game format. Bumrah has played seven matches in the BGT and has taken 32 wickets with the best figures of 6/33.
