The glorious history of test cricket that spans over decades has undoubtedly witnessed numerous prominent Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and many others, who have proven to be a nightmare for England’s top-order batting lineup in the test format. With low economy rates, high wicket counts and frequent five-wicket hauls, these Indian-spearheaded bowlers have not only dismantled England’s batting prowess but have also played a crucial role in leading the Indian side to a phenomenal streak of victories on English soil.
Most recently, the iconic Indian pacer Akash Deep etched his name in the star-studded history of the test format after a 10-wicket haul against England in the second test match at Edgbaston. Have you ever wondered about the top four Indian bowlers who have dominated England with their destructive and ruthless bowling attacks? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four Indian bowlers and their best test figures in England.
Top 4 Indian Bowlers with Best Test Figures in England
Akash Deep – 10/187
The 28-year-old Indian sensational pace bowler Akash Deep is at the first spot in our list of the top four Indian bowlers who have disrupted England’s strongest batting line-ups in Test matches with their annihilating bowling spells. With his destructive bowling attack and an iconic ten-wicket haul in the ongoing test series in Birmingham, Akash Deep has undoubtedly etched his name in the glorious history of the world’s most decorated cricket format.
In the first innings, Akash Deep provided India with a formidable foothold with bowling figures of 4/88 and in the second innings, the sensational Indian pacer reigned supreme and ripped through the English batting lineup, picking up an unbelievable total of six wickets, conceding 99 runs.
As of July 2025, Akash Deep has established himself as the only Indian pacer after Irfan Pathan and Jasprit Bumrah to pick up a total of 10 wickets in a Test match on English soil. Akash Deep’s phenomenal bowling figures of 10/187 undoubtedly played a crucial role in leading India to their first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Chetan Sharma – 10/188
Next, at the second spot in our list of the top four Indian bowlers who have left no stone unturned in dismantling England’s batting lineup on the English soil, we have the legendary Indian former international cricketer, Chetan Sharma, who played Tests and ODIs as a fast bowler for the Indian cricket team. Throughout his glorious international cricketing career that lasted for almost six years, Chetan Sharma picked up a record total of sixty-one wickets in the test format, out of which twenty-three came against England.
Chetan Sharma left the fans stunned with his annihilating bowling attack against England during the third Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham in 1986. The former Indian pacer, Chetan Sharma, claimed a 10-wicket haul against England and registered the best test figures of 10/188 against England on English soil until it was recently surpassed by the legendary Indian bowler Akash Deep at Edgbaston in the ongoing test series in Birmingham.
Chetan Sharma delivered a dominating bowling spell of 4/130 in the first innings and 6/58 in the second innings which paved India’s way to a sensational 2-0 series victory against England in 1986.
Jasprit Bumrah – 9/110
At the third spot in our list of the top four Indian bowlers who have disrupted England’s strongest batting line-ups in Test matches with their annihilating bowling spells, we have the legendary Indian pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who is often hailed as one of the most reliable and dynamic bowlers ever introduced in international cricket scene. Bumrah delivered one of the most dominant performances of his test career so far during the first Test of the 2021 series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham and picked up a total of 9 wickets, conceding 110 runs.
Although the test ended in a draw due to persistent rain, Bumrah garnered immense praise and recognition for his annihilating bowling exploits on the English soil. The ace Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, set the tone of the match with her fearless bowling attack right in the first innings and registered impactful bowling figures of 4/46 in 20.4 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah continued with his destructive bowling spell and returned even stronger in the second innings with his classic five-wicket haul for 64 runs in nineteen overs and dismissed England’s most prominent and reliable batters, Jos Buttler and Joe Root.
Zaheer Khan – 9/134
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four Indian bowlers and their best test figures in England, we have the legendary Indian former international cricketer Zaheer Khan, who represented India across all formats of international cricket from 2000 to 2014. Often popularly referred to as the “King of the Old Ball”, Zaheer Khan’s rare ability to move the ball both ways off the wicket and swing the old ball at some pace undoubtedly gave a tough time to numerous prominent English batters, including Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and many others.
During the second Test of the 2007 series against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Zaheer Khan delivered one of the most prominent and destructive bowling attacks against England and picked up a total of nine wickets, allowing 134 runs, earning him the prestigious “Player of the Match” award. Zaheer Khan set the tone early in the match by exploiting the swing-friendly conditions in the first innings and posted formidable bowling figures of 4/59.
In the second innings, the ace Indian pacer proved to be even more lethal for England’s batting lineup and picked up a total of five wickets for 75 runs, leading India to its first Test series win in England in 21 years since 1986.
