The greatest bowlers of the modern era

6. Anil Kumble

India’s first and only name on this list. Anil Kumble was India’s greatest match winner for the best part of 18 years, and 619 wickets in 132 matches puts him third on the all time highest wicket takers list. He wasn’t a great spinner of the ball but used variations in pace and the odd wrong one to fool batsmen.

He became the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all ten wickets in an innings; a feat he achieved against Pakistan in 1999. His never say die attitude has been exemplary, motivating the whole team with his inspired bowling efforts.

One notable incident is the 2002 tour of West Indies when in the fourth test in Antigua Kumble was hit on his jaw while batting. Despite sustaining a fracture, Kumble stepped out to bowl and sent down 14 consecutive overs taking the crucial wicket of Brian Lara. It was this inspirational attitude of his that made him one of the game’s greats.

5. Waqar Younis

Had it not been for the chronic back problems and the extra burden of captaincy, Younis might have ended his career at the best of all time. Nonetheless, 373 wickets in 87 test matches at a phenomenal strike rate of 43 balls per wicket is a superb record. His mantra was simple; keep it fast, keep it full.

The banana yorkers were aimed at either destroying the batsman’s stumps or his toes, and they landed with ferocious pace and a deadly accuracy. Along with his bowling partner in Wasim Akram, Younis was one of the best in the business when it came to reversing the ball; a quality that earned them the nickname “Sultans of Swing”.