The intense test rivalry between the two kingpins of international cricket, India and Australia, named the bilateral series with the red ball after their two legendary players, Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. Jasprit Bumrah has been announced as the Player of the Series for this BGT. Over the history of the BGT, India has been the dominant side, winning on 10 occasions, though only one of them was on Australian soil. While Australia has emerged victorious on six occasions.
With test matches being played over unlimited overs and 20 wickets across two innings, bowlers often have a huge impact on the format.
Here’s a list of the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in a single edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
1: Jasprit Bumrah (32 wickets in Australia 2024/25)
India’s one of the greatest fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, has now been featured in the record books for his unique record in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024/25. He claimed 32 wickets with the red ball across the 9 innings he featured in this BGT. His swing and accuracy were a huge part of India’s limited success in the BGT.
On several occasions, Bumrah with the ball revived India’s chances in the matches and inspired comebacks for India with the ball.
2: Harbhajan Singh (32 wickets in India 2000/01)
Ace Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, commonly called ‘The Turbanator,’ dominated the Aussies immediately after his debut, as he took a remarkable 32 wickets, the joint highest for India in the BGT. The Indian twister is still remembered for his iconic hat-trick at the Eden Gardens, which marked India’s stunning comeback.
Ever since then, a spinner’s performance under high-pressure situations and their evolution as match-winners in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
3: Ravichandran Ashwin (29 wickets in India 2012/13)
India’s one of the best off-spinners all around, Ravichandran Ashwin, also finds his name in this list. He was the star of the 2012/13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking 29 wickets in four matches in India’s stunning campaign, where the home side dominated with a 4-0 lead.
Ashwin’s standout performances included multiple five-wicket hauls, as he once again showed Indian spinners dominance under home conditions.
4: Ben Hilfenhaus (27 wickets in Australia 2011/12)
This seems to be a very surprising name on the list, as Hilfenhaus was not among the Australian players who starred in many matches for Australia. He played in the 2011/12 home series for Australia, a series of sheer Aussie dominance where they last won the iconic BGT.
His standout spells seemed to be the turning point of matches for the Aussies and a highlight of his short-spanned career, as his 27 wickets included several crucial players, such as Indian veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
5: Anil Kumble (27 wickets in India 2004/05)
Legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble was a key player for the Men in Blue in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2004/05, where the spinner under subcontinent conditions claimed an essential 27 wickets.
His leadership and immense experience in the format also helped India on several crucial points of the game, as India fought hard to secure another home series victory in the BGT with a 2-1 margin.
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