Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (10-1)

#3 Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker among all Indian Test bowlers

In a country where batsman are being hoisted to endless heights, the bowlers continue to do the heavy lifting and go about their business in an unfettered manner. Despite being surrounded by numerous world-class batsmen, Anil Kumble can lay claim to being the biggest match-winner India have ever had in Test cricket. During the entire course of the 90s, India held an unbeaten series record in the premier format of the game. The reliable leg-spinner was perhaps the most pertinent reason behind the enviable streak.

With his combative approach as well as stifling style of bowling, Kumble consistently delivered against accomplished lineups to propel India to countless memorable victories. The ten-wicket second innings haul against Pakistan on a crumbling surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla remains the most astonishing spell by any Indian bowler.

Naysayers might point to his under whelming record away from the subcontinent during the initial phase of his career. However, after the turn of the millennium, the wrist-spinner transformed himself into a steady operator on non-responsive pitches outside his comfort zone. Upon receiving the privilege of leading his country at Test level, Kumble turned out to be a leader of utmost dignity. The way in which he rallied his troops to recover from a demoralising loss in the controversial Sydney Test to an euphoric triumph at Perth stands as testament to his relentless commitment.

Career Span: 1990-2008

Statistics: 619 wickets from 132 matches at an average of 29.65 and strike-rate of 65.9 with 35 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket hauls