Test Cricket is considered the best cricket format and one of the most extended formats. Taking 400 wickets has always been an excellent achievement for any bowler. Only 17 bowlers have achieved this milestone of 400 test wickets. But some bowlers have reached this milestone very quickly. So, let’s look at the ten fastest 400 wickets in tests.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (72 Matches)
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest bowlers cricket has ever seen. He is the bowler who has inspired many youngsters. Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in international cricket. He has taken the most wickets in test and ODI Cricket. Muttiah Muralitharan was the fastest bowler to take 400 wickets in test cricket. He completed the milestone of 400 test wickets in just 72 matches. In his career, Muttiah Muralitharan has played 133 tests and 350 ODIs in which he took 800 and 534 wickets, respectively.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin (77 Matches)
Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the greatest spinners that India has ever produced. In test cricket, he has been one of the greatest match-winners for India. In test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble. He is the fastest Indian to take 400 wickets in test cricket. In 2021 against England, Ravichandran Ashwin completed the milestone of 400 test wickets. Till now, Ravichandran Ashwin has played 95 tests, 116 ODI, and 65 T20I, in which he has taken 490, 156, and 72 wickets, respectively.
3. Richard Hadlee (80 Matches)
Richard Hadlee is one of the greatest all-rounders in the cricketing world. He was equally efficient in batting and bowling as well. Richard Hadlee is the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in test cricket. In a home series against India, he completed the milestone of 400 test wickets and became the first bowler to achieve this milestone. Richard Hadlee completed this milestone in just 80 matches. Richard Hadlee played 86 tests and 115 ODI in his career, taking 431 and 158 wickets, respectively.
4. Dale Steyn (80 Matches)
Dale Steyn is one of the best fast bowlers cricket has ever witnessed. He is one of the rarest bowlers who can take wickets on any pitch. During his playing days, Dale Steyn used to swing the bowl both ways, and all the batters in the world used to fear him as well. He has also been the No. 1 test bowler for 2,356 days. On 30th July 2015, Dale Steyn achieved the milestone of 400 test wickets when Steyn dismissed Tamim Iqbal. In his career, Dale Steyn has played 93 tests, 125 ODI, and 47 T20I, where he took 439, 196, and 64 wickets, respectively.
5. Rangana Herath (84 Matches)
Sri Lanka has a legacy of producing many great spinners. After Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath took forward the Sri Lankan legacy of spinners. He is one of the greatest match-winners for Sri Lanka. Rangana Herath is the second-fastest Sri Lanka bowler to take 400 test wickets. He completed this milestone in just 94 matches. Rangana Herath played 93 test matches in his career, taking 433 wickets.
6. Anil Kumble (85 Matches)
Anil Kumble is the most excellent spinner that India has ever produced. He is the highest wicket-taker for India in test and ODI Cricket. Especially in test cricket, Anil Kumble is one of the greatest match-winners who could win a match in any situation. In 2004, against Australia, Anil Kumble took his 400th test wicket and became the second Indian to take 400 test wickets. In his career, Anil Kumble has played 132 tests and 271 ODIs in which he took 619 and 337 wickets, respectively.
7. Glenn McGrath (87 Matches)
Glenn McGrath is a former right-arm fast-bowler of Australia and one of the most respected cricketers in the cricketing world. Glenn McGrath is one of the most accurate fast bowlers cricket has ever witnessed. All batters used to fear him during his playing days because of his precise line and length. In 2002, Glenn McGrath joined the club of 400 test wickets and became the second Australian to achieve this milestone. In his career, Glenn McGrath has played 124 tests and 250 ODIs in which he took 563 and 381 wickets, respectively.
8. Shane Warne (92 Matches)
Shane Warne was one of the best cricket brains the world has ever seen. Still, he is the second-highest wicket-taker in test cricket. Even though Shane Warne is in the 8th position to take the fastest 400 test wickets, Shane Warne completed this milestone against England in 2001. He became the first Australian bowler to achieve this milestone. Shane Warne played 145 tests and 194 ODIs in his career, taking 708 and 293 wickets, respectively.
9. Wasim Akram (96 Matches)
Undoubtedly, Wasim Akram is one of the greatest fast bowlers that Pakistan has ever seen. Like Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram was also one of the bowlers who never cared about the pitch conditions, as he can take wickets in any conditions. In 2002, against Zimbabwe, Wasim Akram completed his 400th test wicket and became the only Pakistani bowler to achieve this milestone. In his career, Wasim Akram has played 104 tests and 356 ODIs in which he took 414 and 502 wickets, respectively.
10. Harbhajan Singh (96 Matches)
Harbhajan Singh is a former right-arm off-spinner of India. No one can forget his epic bowling performance against Australia in the 2001 test series. In 2011, against West Indies during the third test match in Mumbai, Harbhajan Singh completed the milestone of 400 test wickets. He was the third Indian bowler to take 400 test wickets. In his career, Harbhajan Singh has played 103 tests and 236 ODIs in which he took 417 and 269 wickets, respectively.
