India and New Zealand gear up for a two-match Test series, starting November 25 in Kanpur. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Notably, New Zealand beat India at home 2-0 in 2020 and then tasted success once again in the Test Championship final 2019-21 cycle. India and New Zealand contested in 59 Test Matches. And India is on a upper hand. India won 21 of these matches and New Zealand have won 12. 26 matches have been drawn in these 2 top teams. In this article, we will look at the Most Wickets by Indians in IND VS NZ Tests.
5. Zaheer Khan- 47 wickets
Zaheer Khan was, without a doubt, one of the greatest assets of Indian cricket. He ended up as one of the greatest new-ball bowlers of all time, an expert at the art of reverse-swing, a potent bowler in the Test arena, and finally, a World Cup hero. His bowling in New Zealand tour in 2002-03 was brilliant and one of the best against New Zealand in Tests. The tour of New Zealand in 2002-03 was a nightmare for India. But the lone positive in the Test series was Zaheer Khan’s performance. Where Indian bowlers looked lackluster, Zaheer scalped 11 wickets in the 2 Tests. Specially his swinging deliveries at Hamilton were awe-inspiring.
He played 13 matches against New Zealand in Tests and took 47 wickets in the course of the game. He has four 5-wicket hauls against New Zealand in Tests. Zaheer is the only fast bowler in this list of Most wickets by Indians in IND VS NZ Tests.
4. Anil Kumble- 50 wickets
Anil Kumble has undoubtedly been the biggest match winner in India’s Test cricket history. He has given several memorable performances in the Test arena over the years. In the Pakistan Test of 1999, Anil Kumble produced a gem of a bowling. Kumble produced what is arguably the greatest modern day bowling performance in Test cricket, taking all the 10 Pakistan wickets. Kumble made the ball fizz and bounce and no Pakistan batsmen looked in any sort of rhythm facing him. It wasn’t as if the wicket was bad to bat on or anything, as on the same wicket, Harbhajan Singh bowled 18 overs without a wicket.
He played 11 matches against New Zealand in Tests and took 50 wickets in that course. His best bowling in a match against New Zealand is 10/134. He has three 5-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket hauls against New Zealand in Tests.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin- 52 wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin is the third bowler in this list of most wickets by Indians in IND VS NZ Tests. He is a skillful bowler who reads the batsman’s mind and bowl accordingly. It is evident that Ashwin has a knack for picking wickets against New Zealand. He has dismissed NZ captain Kane Williamson as many as five times in Test cricket. The latter has managed to score 146 off 242 balls against Ashwin. Williamson’s compatriot Ross Taylor has also fallen to Ashwin five times.
Ashwin performed brilliantly in his first Test series against New Zealand (2012). He finished as the leading wicket-taker as India routed NZ 2-0 in the series. Ashwin took 18 scalps in two Tests at a phenomenal average of 13.11. The off-spinner was even more dangerous in the 2016 series. He picked up 27 wickets in three Tests as India won 3-0.
He played 7 matches against New Zealand in Tests and took 52 wickets in such a small number of matches. His best bowling in a match is 13/140 against New Zealand in tests. He is the only current Indian bowler in this list. He has six 5-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls to his name against New Zealand.
Also Read: India vs New Zealand 1st Test Match Preview
2. Erapalli Prasanna- 55 wickets
Erapalli Prasanna was one of India’s legendary spinners. He, along with Venkataraghavan, Chandrasekhar and Bishan Singh Bedi, formed the famous Indian spin quartet. His bowling spell against New Zealand in Auckland bamboozled New Zealand batsmen. Prasanna bowled India to a magnificent victory by taking 8/76 in the second innings. Prasanna ran through the Kiwi batting line up with his off breaks and India won this Test Match.
He played 10 matches against New Zealand in Tests and took 55 wickets in that course. His best bowling figures were 11/140. He has four 5-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul to his name.
1. Bishan Singh Bedi- 57 wickets
Bishan Singh Bedi was a bowler who was stealthy, silent, and deadly. He was a master of deception who conjured variations in flight, loop, spin, and pace without any perceptible change in action. He bowled with a big heart too, challenging the batsman to hit over the top by giving the ball plenty of air. Bedi was a consistent wicket-taker for most of his career. For his brilliant performance against New Zealand in Tests, he steals the first spot in Most wickets by Indians in IND VS NZ Tests.
The crafty left-arm spinner picked up 57 wickets in the 12 Test matches he played against New Zealand at an average of 19.14. For the Indian side, it is Bishan Singh Bedi who is the highest wicket-taker.
Most Wickets By Indians In IND VS NZ Tests
| Rank | Players | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling figures | Average |
| 5 | Zaheer Khan | 13 | 47 | 7/122 | 31.44 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | 11 | 50 | 10/134 | 25.86 |
| 3 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 7 | 52 | 13/140 | 16.53 |
| 2 | Erapalli Prasanna | 10 | 55 | 11/140 | 20.12 |
| 1 | Bishan Singh Bedi | 12 | 57 | 9/70 | 19.14 |
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