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India and South Africa will lock horns in a two-match Test series, starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. The Proteas last toured India for a Test series back in 2019, when the host blanked them 3-0.
Talking about recent form in Test cricket, India ushered in the Shubman Gill era with a 2-2 draw in England and a 2-0 sweep over the West Indies at home. Meanwhile, the Proteas levelled 1-1 in Pakistan last month to kick off the defense of the ICC World Test Championship crown. This series is vital for both sides as they look to move up in the ICC WTC standings.
So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the bowlers with most wickets in India vs South Africa Test series.
Most Wickets in India vs South Africa Test Series
5. Morne Morkel | 58 Wickets
Across 31 innings against India, Morne Morkel took 58 wickets at an average of 26.41 and a strike rate of 53.77. However, Morkel took only one five-wicket haul against India. His only five-for came in the first Test in 2010 in Centurion. Morkel, who made his Test debut against India, intimidated the Indian batters through most of his career.
4. Harbhajan Singh | 60 Wickets
Harbhajan Singh is the 4th highest wicket-taker in India vs South Africa test cricket history. With an average of 28.40, Bhajji grabbed 60 wickets in 11 matches against South Africa. In 2004, Harbhajan returned with 7 for 87 at the historic Eden Gardens stadium.
3. Javagal Srinath | 64 Wickets
Former Indian fast bowler, Javagal Srinath comes in 2nd place on the list of taking the most Test wickets for India against South Africa. Srinath played 13 matches and bagged 64 wickets. During his career, Srinath took 4 out of his 10 five-wicket hauls against the Proteas, with his best against them being 6/21 in Ahmedabad in 1996.
2. Dale Steyn | 65 Wickets
South Africa’s aggressive fast bowler Dale Steyn has taken 65 wickets in just 14 matches at a bowling average of 21.53. Dale Steyn always wreaked havoc against India and is the most successful Protea bowler against the Asian giants. Interestingly, Steyn went wicketless just four times out of the 23 innings he bowled against India. His best performance came in Nagpur in 2010, when he claimed 10 wickets for 108 runs as the visitors won the game by a huge margin of an innings and 6 runs.
Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025
1. Anil Kumble | 84 Wickets
Great leg spinner Anil Kumble tops the list with 84 wickets in 40 innings of 21 Test matches. Kumble took five wickets in an innings thrice in these matches. With 3 five-wicket hauls, Kumble's brilliant performance came in 1992 in Johannesburg, 6/53. Kumble was a part of the Indian team, that won the first-ever test match in South Africa in 2006.