Bowlers attacking in pairs has a significant effect on the game in a format such as Test cricket. It is quite uncommon for a bowler to be successful without support from the other end, both in terms of cutting down on scoring and producing breakthroughs.
We’ve witnessed several bowling combos become quite popular throughout the years. Together, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad claimed an amazing 1039 wickets in 138 matches. With 1001 points in just 104 games, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath are the only other pair in four figures.
India has had several famous bowlers who have performed well together, even if they have never had a bowling duo as successful. A remarkable new achievement was achieved by one of the most distinguished pairings of the hosts in the current first Test match against England.
These are the top three bowling combinations for India in Test cricket.
3. Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan – 474 wickets in 59 matches
The Indian team’s careers of Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan were distinguished by their joint victory in the 2011 World Cup held at home. They also caused mayhem together in Tests.
Harbhajan and Zaheer took 474 wickets together in 59 matches. Of those, the off-spinner accounted for 268 and the left-arm pacer for an equally astounding 206.
Together, Harbhajan and Zaheer averaged 8.03 wickets per game, demonstrating their immense worth to the squad. While the latter frequently led India’s speed attack, the former proved lethal at home and was instrumental in a number of historic wins.
2. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh – 501 wickets in 54 matches
The first of the two spin pairings also makes an appearance on this list with Harbhajan Singh too. Not surprisingly, India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests – Anil Kumble – is his partner and it makes up almost all of the country records.
Together, Kumble and Harbhajan took 501 wickets at an average of 9.28 per Test in 54 matches. With 281 wickets, the towering leg-spinner took the lead, followed by his younger partner, a competent backup who claimed 220 victims.
Before a specific pair showed up, Kumble and Harbhajan were expected to be the most illustrious spin combo in Test history for India.
1. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin – 504* in 50 matches
As of writing this, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have accounted for four out of the five England wickets that fell on Day 1 in the first Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium located in Hyderabad.
By achieving this, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have become the most productive bowling duo in the history of the format, accomplishing something no other Indian bowling combination has ever done. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have amassed an amazing 504 scalps (and counting) in 50 fights together, solidifying their position atop the standings.
With 276 wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin has been the more dominating partner while Jadeja has made 228. Incredibly, in addition to taking more than ten wickets in a game, they have also amassed a sizable run at bat, greatly aiding India’s remarkable home run streak throughout the past ten years.
With many more games of cricket ahead in the series, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja must stand an even better chance of establishing themselves as India’s all-time most successful bowling partnership to have triumphed at Test level.
