In the world of cricket, bowlers are the real game-changers in Test matches. Taking wickets in the longest format of the game is not easy; it takes effort, focus, and the ability to deliver again and again. When we look at the records for the most wickets in Test cricket, we see names that have dominated matches for years.
The title of highest wicket taker in Test cricket is a mark of greatness and a reminder of the bowler’s unforgettable journey on the field. Let’s find out the leading wicket taker bowler in test matches.
Who has the most wickets in Test history?
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket with 800 dismissals in 133 matches. He is the only player in Test history to cross the 800-wicket mark. He also holds the rare record for the most 10-wicket hauls in Tests, achieving this remarkable feat 22 times. Notably, Muralitharan is a leading wicket taker in one day international with tremendous 534 dismissals.
Top 10 Most Wickets in Test Cricket of All Time
Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list of leading wicket takers in tests with 800 wickets in 133 matches. He is followed by Shane Warne (708), JM Anderson (704), Anil Kumble (619), Stuart Broad (604), and more. While all these legends have retired from the game, they have set towering records that will challenge future generations of bowlers.
List of Top 10 Bowlers with Most Wickets in Test Cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | Tests | Wickets | Best Innings |
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 133 | 800 | 9 / 51 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 145 | 708 | 8 / 71 |
| 3 | James Anderson | England | 188 | 704 | 7 / 42 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | India | 132 | 619 | 10 / 74 |
| 5 | Stuart Broad | England | 167 | 604 | 8 / 15 |
| 6 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 124 | 563 | 8 / 24 |
| 7 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 106 | 537 | 7 / 59 |
| 8 | Nathan Lyon | Australia | 134 | 539 | 8 / 50 |
| 9 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 132 | 519 | 7 / 37 |
| 10 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 93 | 439 | 7 / 51 |
Shane Warne (Australia)
Shane Warne claimed 708 wickets in 145 Tests, with best innings figures of 8/71. A master of leg-spin, he revolutionised spin bowling and remains one of the most iconic bowlers in cricket history.
James Anderson (England)
James Anderson has taken 704 wickets in 188 Tests, with a best of 7/42. Known for his swing and longevity, he is the most successful fast bowler in Test history and a mainstay of England’s attack.
Anil Kumble (India)
Anil Kumble picked up 619 wickets in 132 Tests, including a legendary 10/74 in an innings. As India’s highest Test wicket-taker, his accuracy and relentlessness defined an era of Indian bowling.
Stuart Broad (England)
Stuart Broad has 604 wickets from 167 Tests, with a best of 8/15. Known for his match-turning spells, Broad formed a deadly pace duo with Anderson and played a key role in England’s successes.
Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Glenn McGrath took 563 wickets in 124 Tests, with best figures of 8/24. His consistency, control, and relentless line-and-length made him Australia’s pace spearhead for over a decade.
Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed 537 wickets in 106 Tests, including a best of 7/59. As India’s premier off-spinner, he’s known for his variations, sharp cricketing mind, and match-winning performances at home and abroad.
Nathan Lyon (Australia)
Nathan Lyon has 539 wickets in 134 Tests, with best figures of 8/50. Nicknamed the “GOAT” by fans, he’s Australia’s most successful off-spinner, known for his bounce, drift, and ability to strike on any surface.
Courtney Walsh (West Indies)
Courtney Walsh took 519 wickets in 132 Tests, with a best of 7/37. A legendary West Indies fast bowler, his stamina, pace, and consistency made him a fearsome presence for two decades.
Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Dale Steyn finished with 439 wickets in 93 Tests, boasting a best of 7/51. Known for his express pace and fiery attitude, Steyn was a match-winner in all conditions and one of South Africa’s greatest quicks.
Most Wickets in Test Cricket for India
The most wicket-taker in Test cricket for India is Anil Kumble, who claimed 619 wickets in 132 matches. Kumble’s most iconic performance came in 1999 when he took all 10 wickets in a single innings against Pakistan. He is followed by Ravichandran Ashwin (537), Kapil Dev (434), Harbhajan Singh (417), Ishant Sharma (311), and Zaheer Khan (311).
| Player | Country | Tests | Wickets | Best Innings |
| Anil Kumble | India | 132 | 619 | 10 / 74 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 106 | 537 | 7 / 59 |
| Kapil Dev | India | 131 | 434 | 9 / 83 |
| Harbhajan Singh | India | 103 | 417 | 8 / 84 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | 72 | 294 | 7 / 42 |
| Ishant Sharma | India | 105 | 311 | 7 / 74 |
| Zaheer Khan | India | 92 | 311 | 7 / 87 |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | India | 67 | 266 | 7 / 98 |
| B S Chandrasekhar | India | 58 | 242 | 8 / 79 |
| Javagal Srinath | India | 67 | 236 | 8 / 86 |
10 Wickets Haul in a Test Inning – Anil Kumble is the only Indian bowler who has taken all 10 wickets in a single Test innings. He achieved this historic feat against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999, with match figures of 10 for 74. It’s one of only three such instances in the entire history of Test cricket. Other two are – Jim Laker (England) and Ajaz Patel (New Zealand).
Most Wickets in Test in One Match
Jim Laker holds the record for most wickets in a Test match, taking 19 for 90 against Australia in 1956. His match figures included 9/37 in the first innings and a historic 10/53 in the second, making it the greatest individual bowling performance in Test history.
Jim is followed by Narendra Hirwani (16/136), Sydney Barnes (17/159), Muttiah Muralitharan (16/220), Fred Trueman (15/104), and Richard Hadlee (15/123).
Most Wickets in Test Cricket in One Over
The record for the most wickets taken in a single over in a Test match is four — a rare feat achieved by Maurice Allom, Ken Cranston, Fred Titmus, Chris Old, Wasim Akram, and Andy Caddick. Taking four wickets in six balls showcases extraordinary precision and control, making it one of the most dramatic moments in Test match bowling.
