Top 5: Most Wickets in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is probably one of the bravest contests in Test cricket these days. It never seems to take a decisive turn — India being what it is, and Australia too.

Spinners have played an outsized role in the fate of this series over the years on those Indian turning tracks, as much so down under on punchy Australian surfaces.

Those spinning wizards from both countries, who toil on the pitch surely made quite a few good batsmen miserable and helped their side tip games in its favour.

Here, we’ll look at the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

5. Ravindra Jadeja (India) – 85 wickets

Ravindra Jadeja, the most dynamic all-rounder of India, boasts an impressive track record in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 85 wickets at an average of 18.85. This highlights the challenges faced by Australian batsmen, especially in India when up against him.

His left-arm spin is characterised by precision and persistence, creating a buildup of dot balls that puts pressure on batsmen and often leads them to make errors. Added to that, he can bowl long spells without let-up in the intensity of his bowling and is also one of the best fielders in the Indian cricket team.

It’s no rocket science that if you have a player who can control both runs as well as wickets then you end up with one of your most bankable match-winners.

4. Harbhajan Singh (India) – 95 wickets

Harbhajan Singh’s career with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will always be linked to his amazing performance in the 2001 series, especially his well-known hat-trick in the Kolkata Test.

He became a series hero after his epic battles with Australian greats like Ricky Ponting, and his ability to stand up when things counted helped write the history of this enduring rivalry.

Harbhajan picked up 95 wickets in 35 innings at an average of close to 30 in the history of the series.

Also Read | Top 5: Most Runs in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

3. Anil Kumble (India) – 111 wickets

Anil Kumble’s place in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is unmatched. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kumble was India’s bowling giant with a return of an average only slightly above his career mark.

However, Kumble was not a big turner of the ball, but his unerring accuracy and ability to wear batsmen down with attrition made him an ever-present danger.

His unyielding attitude and his knack for producing match-winning efforts, especially in the 2004 campaign had earned him plenty of respect from not only teammates but also rivals Australians.

Kumble racked up 111 wickets in 38 innings at an average of 30.32 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy history.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 114 wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin’s mastery in mystery at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has meant he is one of India’s greatest match-winners. He has taken 114 wickets at an average of 28.36 since making his debut in 2011 against Australia.

What makes him so good? Ashwin bowls to set batsmen up rather than simply ending them, and uses subtle variations of spin, flight, and pace regardless of who is at the other end.

That he equally relishes bowling in Australia or India also defies conventional wisdom about the Indian spinner’s fragility on non-subcontinental pitches.

1. Nathan Lyon (Australia) – 116 wickets

Nathan Lyon, who debuted in 2011 has taken a total of 116 wickets so far against India which makes him the most successful bowler ever to take part in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

With a bouncing skill and some spin, Lyon has been at his most menacing on Indian pitches where he uses patience as much as skills to prick the best of Indian batsmen.

With a bowling average of 32.40 in the series, Lyon has shown remarkable consistency and effectiveness, even when facing the tough conditions of subcontinent pitches that generally favour batsmen.

His ability to make the most of any slight assistance from the pitch reflects his persistence and craft, turning him into a major threat in the fiercely competitive Border-Gavaskar Trophy.