Most Test Wickets By An Indian Bowler Since Kuldeep Yadav's Debut

Kuldeep Yadav has just played 19 Tests since his debut [Source: AFP]

As expected, there is no Kuldeep Yadav in the India playing XI for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. 33-year-old Saransh Jain has been handed his debut cap as India have preferred a right-arm off-break bowler over Kuldeep.

Saransh was already touted to replace Kuldeep in the playing XI, but the BCCI released a statement on Sunday morning stating that the wily spinner has been suffering from a viral fever and thus has been ruled out of the game.

Interestingly, Kuldeep made his Test debut in 2017, and in the nine-year timeline since then, the spinner has only played 19 Tests, as multiple coaches have hardly shown any trust in him as a spinner.

In the same timeframe, several other Indian players have made their debut and have done equally well, or better than Kuldeep, in Tests. In this article, we take a look at the Indian bowlers who have taken the most wickets in Tests since Kuldeep made his debut.

Indian bowlers with most Test wickets since Kuldeep Yadav's debut

(Indian bowlers with most Test wickets since Kuldeep's debut)

• As expected, Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests with 266 wickets since Kuldeep’s debut. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah sits second in the list with 234 wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja has 214 scalps to his name.
• Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are fourth and fifth in the table, with Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav next in line.
• Kuldeep Yadav is eighth in the list, but it is justifiable since the spinner has only played in 19 Tests in the last nine years.

(Note: All stats updated till August 23, 2026)

Kuldeep has the best strike-rate amongst all the bowlers

The Indian spinner might be eighth on the list, but he certainly boasts a stellar bowling strike rate better than the other Indian bowlers.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Brings Shubman Gill's Name Over Kuldeep Yadav's Underutilisation

In this list of the most Test wickets by an Indian bowler since Kuldeep’s debut, the 31-year-old has the best strike rate (39.3), showcasing his wicket-taking efficiency in red-ball cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah is second on the list with a strike rate of 42.8, followed by Umesh Yadav with 44.5.

Despite playing just 19 Tests, the Chinaman spinner has been an effective wicket-taker, and the strike rate tells the story.

Why has Kuldeep played just 19 Tests since debut?

Kuldeep made his debut in March 2017 against Australia, and the left-arm wrist-spinner was touted to become Ashwin’s successor in Tests. However, in a shocking scenario, the spinner has only played in 19 Tests, despite having the best strike rate amongst all the bowlers.

When the Indian spinner made his Test debut, the team required only two spinners in home conditions, and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the preferred choices. Moreover, in overseas conditions, India only played with a solitary spinner, and Kuldeep was behind in the pecking order.

When he burst onto the scene in 2017, the left-arm spinner was hard to read, but as he progressed, batters found it easy to tackle him in red-ball cricket, and hence, the management suddenly showed little trust in his abilities.

Meanwhile, the arrival of record-breaker Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain has further dented Kuldeep’s chances in red-ball cricket.

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