Greatness of a cricketer is always measured by their performance away from the home. Playing Test Cricket on foreign soil is always considered to be the toughest job for a cricketer. We often notice that bowlers struggle to find their length and line in overseas test matches. While many falter, there are some who thrive on such challenges. Players who perform well overseas make a name for themselves in the history of the sport.
In the article, we take a look at the 5 Indian Bowlers with the most wickets on foreign soil in Test cricket:
5. Harbhajan Singh (152 Wickets)
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has bagged 152 Test wickets on foreign soil. The off-spinner, is also second after the great Muttiah Muralitharan in the list, of most wickets in Test Cricket by an off-spinner.
Harbhajan has played 48 overseas Test and has picked up seven five-wickets hauls. One of his best performances on foreign land came at Hamilton, in 2009. It was Harbhajan’s 6 for 63 that guided India to an easy 10-wicket win over New Zealand.
His all-round performance of 4 for 10 and 87-run knock with the bat in hand, against South Africa at Durban in the 2011 series, starred India to a Test victory.
Get the latest update on IPL 2021, England vs India 2021, and other cricket news. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
4. Ishant Sharma ( 202 Wickets)
Ishant Sharma is the latest entrant to the 200 away-wicket club of Indian bowlers. The right-arm fast bowler accomplished the feat by dismissing Devon Conway in the World Test Championship final. He has played 61 Test matches outside India and has scalped 9 five-wicket hauls.
Ishant Sharma’s fierce bowling against England in the Lord’s 2014 Test match, was a sight to behold for Indian fans. The pacer picked up 7 wickets for 74 and carved his name on the honors board at the Lord’s cricket stadium. His performance helped India to cling on to its first Test victory at Lord’s in 28 years.
3. Zaheer Khan (207 Wickets)
Zaheer Khan is perhaps the best left-arm pacer to have ever played for India. He has 207 wickets in 54 Test Matches outside India and has bagged eight five-wickets hauls.
India’s tour of England in 2007 was probably the finest moment of Zaheer Khan’s Test career. The left-arm pacer scalped 18 wickets in the 3 Tests which led India to a 1-0 series win. He took 4 for 59 in the first innings at Trent Bridge, using the conditions perfectly to India’s cause. He was awarded the Man of the Series.
His performance in England earned him the Wisden Cricketer of The Year title in 2008.
Get the latest update on IPL 2021, England vs India 2021, and other cricket news. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
2. Kapil Dev (215 Wickets)
Former India World-Cup Winning skipper Kapil Dev has picked up 215 Test wickets outside India and has twelve five-wicket hauls.
Kapil Dev’s performance in the 1971 tour of England, was definitely one of his best in Test cricket. The legendary right-arm bowler picked 16 wickets in four Tests and finished the series as the top wicket-taker for India.
Kapil was only 20 years old at that time, but his fiery bowling spells fazed the England batsmen.
1. Anil Kumble (269 Wickets)
Anil Kumble is regarded as the biggest match-winner for India in Test cricket. The former Indian spinner has scalped 215 Test wickets in 69 Tests outside of India.
In the Melbourne Test, 2007, Kumble spun a web around the Australian batsmen with his googlies and leg breaks. He picked up 5/84, this was only the second instance of a spinner taking 5 wickets on the first day in Melbourne in 70 years.
In 2004 at Sydney, Kumble picked up 8 wickets for 141 runs to help India to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the series ended 1-1.
Get the latest update on IPL 2021, England vs India 2021, and other cricket news. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.