Ranking India's 5 best bowlers in WTC 2023-25 cycle ft. R Ashwin

India, who were beaten 1-3 by Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), missed out on the opportunity of securing a spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), to be held in June 2025. This would have been India's third final in a row, having earlier lost to New Zealand and Australia.

Australia, meanwhile, secured their berth in the final, where they are going to meet South Africa. India were among the favorites to make it to the final this time around as well, but some late hiccups, including the dismal BGT result as well as a 0-3 drubbing to New Zealand at home, put paid to those plans.

India's bowlers were largely responsible for keeping them in the hunt for the final at all times, and it was only because of the casual apathy shown by their batters that they failed to make it. Their bowlers, for their part, deserve the entire credit for having almost single-handedly pulling the side.

In this listicle, we take a look at India's best bowlers in the ongoing WTC cycle:

#5 Kuldeep Yadav - 22 wickets

Kuldeep Yadav, who has been unceremoniously discarded from the Test setup by the current management, comes fifth on this list thanks to the 22 wickets he picked up in this cycle. The chinaman is one of the most creative bowlers in the world owing to his uncanny line and ability to get the ball to turn almost sideways.

The 30-year-old was a part of the Indian team that lost 0-3 to New Zealand at home in 2024, but was discarded from the side that toured Australia. Had he been in the squad, things might have looked different for Rohit Sharma's side. Yadav has picked up 56 wickets in 13 Tests so far.

#4 Mohammed Siraj - 48 wickets

Seamer Mohammed Siraj comes fourth on this list owing to the 48 wickets he picked up in this WTC cycle. The Hyderabad pacer played the perfect foil to Jasprit Bumrah at all times and seemed willing to give his best whenever he was asked to. Siraj's lion-hearted nature has often drawn praise from coach Gautam Gambhir.

Siraj has played in 36 Tests so far and picked up an even 100 wickets. His ability to get the ball to move away from right-handers at pace makes him a dangerous bowler, and is the reason why so many opposition batters do not get the chance to move their feet against him and play the ball under their eyes.

#3 Ravindra Jadeja - 55 wickets

Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has long been the player to have helmed all three departments for India during times of need, comes third on this list thanks to his 55 wickets. 'Jaddu' is known for his accuracy and is primarily a better white-ball bowler than a red-ball one.

However, his partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin, especially in home conditions, has been spoken about at large by everyone, and his seat in history is reserved. Apart from his bowling, Jadeja is also a fine batter, averaging 34 in Test cricket, to go with the 323 wickets he has picked up so far in 80 matches.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin - 63 wickets

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who shocked the entire cricketing fraternity by announcing his retirement midway through the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, comes second on this list with 63 wickets. Ashwin was perhaps the best off-spinner in the world during his prime.

The Tamil Nadu spinner's raw ability to do well in home conditions made him a threat to reckon with, although it was unfortunate to see him mistreated by the management whenever India went overseas. Ashwin called it a day with 537 wickets to his name in 106 Tests, ending second on the list of highest wicket-takers for India.

#1 Jasprit Bumrah - 77 wickets

It goes without saying that Jasprit Bumrah was India's best bowler in the ongoing WTC cycle. The pacer picked up 77 wickets in this cycle and is currently the highest-wicket taker across all teams. However, Australia's Pat Cummins is a close second with 73 wickets and is expected to overtake him sooner or later.

Bumrah was at his imperious best in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy that India lost 1-3 to Australia. He picked up a whopping 32 wickets in it and earned the accolade of 'Player of the Series'. His raw pace as well as guile makes him a dangerous proposition, and India must preserve him well. The latter takes increasing importance given that he suffered from back spasms quite recently in Sydney.